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Seasonal Spice #1

50 Shades of Orc

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An arrogant billionaire orc shifter is the leader of a race stranded on earth. He’s desperate to find a woman to breed with to ensure the future of his people. But when he finds a woman who smells so good he can barely resist her, he discovers she has secrets dangerous to them both.

This spicy orc romance explores an uncontrollable, animal attraction. The first in the Seasonal Spice series, this short and delicious romantica can be read as a standalone that’s easy to devour and sure to satisfy.

130 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 4, 2023

71 people are currently reading
82 people want to read

About the author

L.A. Monteiro

17 books28 followers
L. A. Monteiro is an award-winning monster romance author.

She writes fast-paced, high-spice stories. As an Eurasian, second-generation Australian, her stories reflect her lived experience of navigating between worlds.

She won the Romance Writers Australia Spicy Bites short story competition in 2023 and came third in 2024.

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5 stars
52 (36%)
4 stars
51 (36%)
3 stars
30 (21%)
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8 (5%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
Profile Image for Trina Jones.
2,707 reviews41 followers
January 29, 2024
OMG this was one spicy book. I loved it! It was a page turner and the suspense was a sensation of romance between an Orc Tom and Summer. I was a quick read and it was worth the wait as I couldn't put it down. Tom was intrigue with Summer as soon he lay his eyes on her. She was beautiful and he was a handsome beast. The physical attract and the chemistry was steamy romance of firework of sparks flying in the sky over them. They gave into temptation as they was trying to fight the feelings was they falling in love with each other. What would the people say about them around the town. After reading this book you will need a bottle of wine! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Trina Jones
Profile Image for Larissa.
13 reviews2 followers
December 3, 2023
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

That being said, I wasn't overly impressed but I didn't hate this book. It is a very quick read, which is nice. However, being advertised as a spicy novella, there should be a lot more spice. There is no mention of anything until halfway through the book. The plot is rushed (normal for a novella), but the story would have probably been better if it was a full length novel instead of a novella. There are a ton of questions left at the end. There is major potential for a full story here. The scenes could have had more detail, and more feeling behind them if this was a longer story.

There are several spelling mistakes and wrong word choice throughout the story, but it doesn't have too big of an impact on the story. It just makes the reading seem choppy. The writing didn't seem to hold my focus very well.

In order for me to have given this 5 stars, it really needed more. If the intention was more about the spice than the story line, then it was a flop. There were too many details outside of the spicy scenes and not enough inside the scenes. If the author's intention was plot with a little spice, then it really needed more to fill several gaps in the story. I feel a little jipped with this novella.
Profile Image for The Dragon Den Book Blog.
2,969 reviews66 followers
December 3, 2023
Review of 50 Shade of Orc by L.A. Monteiro
* * * * *
A steamy novella for those readers who want an extra little beast in their man...and maybe even the woman.

Summer was hot on a story, wanting to make her big break in the city. From a small town with loving parents, she wants to stay and make it work here where there is choice and chance. When she finally has something she can work with, she never expected to get stuck in the clutches of one man.
One powerful man.
Matt has been on one mission for his people: to find the mystics. He never expected one to end up spilling a tray of water onto his lap.
He needs to make sure she is what he is looking for.
Could he let her go even when she is not?

A very spicy fantasy read for those who want a little extra kick in their romance for the day. Summer and Tom are off to a stiff start - due to multiple whoopsies and awkward encounters - but that soon changes when macho man helps her and has her in his home.
Summer's development regarding her being possibly mystic certainly helps things move along into the steamy things, and you readers will not be disappointed.
BTW, Olivia was hilarious and the artwork sounds erotic as hell!!
Profile Image for Alise.
210 reviews4 followers
December 7, 2023
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

It was exciting to read a new version how the orcs and humans have come to live together. The idea how they live has intrigued me more than any other scenarios lately. I would love to see more stories about these orcs and their human mystics and their powers. His sister and brother obviously are the next potential main characters, I hope so. On the other hand there is not great information about what’s really going on, but then it’s not a long book, so that can be expected. I wish we could see this article or what media thinks of him being a billionaire orc in disguise. The second part mostly concentrates on their heat that is very spicy but somewhat lacking in the same time. They are feral and aggressive and some bits maybe even too much for some. But it’s not in real depth and no satisfaction, somehow. Nevertheless, all comes to a happy ending and love, even if they don’t say it in words to each other.
I liked to see the new perspective and would love to find out how orcs will integrate more in to this human world.
699 reviews6 followers
June 28, 2024
Quite a good and fun read. Earth has had 200 orcs dropped in through a portal. There is no real information on how this happened or why this happened. And more are not coming. And the one's here cannot get back.

For the most part, they have a lot of problems fitting in (big, green, prone to rage). It turns out their leader wound up on Earth earlier and can morph back and forth from human to orc. And he is very rich. Fine. He is trying to come up with solutions for his people and he is searching for "Mystics" -- women who, unknown to themselves, have some orc ancestry and who have the potential to morph to an orcish form that can accommodate an orc penis. And therefore continue the orc line on Earth.

Anyways, the storyline was quite good. The world building was well done and described well (which was a challenge for this). The sex was hot and often rather violent (well, orcs, right?).

The title reference to 50 Shades was just bloody silly.

But the book was fun and I will read the rest of the series. A very fast read (novella length).
Profile Image for Margot Primrose.
Author 4 books16 followers
March 31, 2024
I am not exaggerating when I say I DEVOURED this novella!

I loved the world building and the lore set up. I only wish there had more of it.
The characters, I liked them but there wasn't enough page time dedicated to them as a whole for me to fall in love with them. The book is more of an erotic novella in that sense. However the erotic scenes are a bit rushed and very glossed over. Giving it a lower over-all spice.

At times the writing seemed a bit 'choppy' but it wasn't anything that prevented me from finishing. Although at times I was a bit confused about who was talking and how certain things played out.

All in all, this was a really fun novella and I am hoping to find out more about this world in the next books!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Inkheartedgirl.
146 reviews5 followers
November 15, 2023
Short and interesting read. I finished it in one sitting.If you're looking for a fast-paced instant love story with lots of wild spice, this book is for you.

I loved how Summer (FMC) jumps on Tom's (MMC) back every time; it's kind of funny and Cute.

The spice was wild, and I give it 4 stars because I felt the ending was rushed. It was not described whether orcs are saved from humans or not, which was Tom's whole purpose.

I wish there was more to the story, describing what happened with the orcs and about Summer and Tom's future, at least in an epilogue

Rating - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice rate - 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
POV - dual
Ending - Happy

I received an ARC from the author and am voluntarily leaving this review.
Profile Image for Emma Minazza.
849 reviews29 followers
December 1, 2023
I love the Orc element to this book! Recently getting into Warhammer and Lord of The Rings, Orc's are prominent and I love the fantasy aspect. Imagine being in a world where Orcs are living with humans but in their human forms. This is an enjoyable read and full of smut! Summer is an unsuspecting journalist that gets caught up in a whole new, unsuspecting world with Tom Johnson.

This was an enjoyable novella and has set me up to look forward to more from this author! If they are all as good as this one, wow, are we in for a ride! Hoping for another Tom and Summer spin off maybe!

Well written, flows well and has a good storyline. I love the idea of Olivia, a read badass in the world! Would love to know her story too!
Profile Image for Michelle.
253 reviews1 follower
May 9, 2024
I had already read the epilogue for this book, so I would have been a fool to not accept a free copy of the full book. And now the epilogue makes sense! Who would have thought?

This is a pretty great series! I've read a couple of them now, so I was super excited to be able to get the first. There were a couple of surprising twists, and now I better understand the fourth book, "Kidnapped by the Orc" (which was the first I read). For the most part, it seems they can be read as stand alone HEAs, but reading them in order will really bring everything together for you.

I absolutely recommend this book to anyone that truly wants to believe in love at first sight. Smell? Maybe… Now, I am off to read "The Witch's Tangle."
Profile Image for Abby.
516 reviews4 followers
December 8, 2023
This novella wasn't what I was expecting. It was sweet and definitely erotic but for some reason I was hoping for more 50 shades or bdsm vibes, which it isn't. It's definitely more in the romance category. I enjoyed the concept of the story, though I found the plotline very predictable but some loose ends around some of the secondary characters. It tries to do too much in terms of all the backstory required for the Orcs on Earth but then shifts to focus on Summer and Tom. There were some definite sexy times going on and I can tell you I was feeling some of the steam but again was expecting something a bit different. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Kate V.
1,848 reviews369 followers
December 19, 2023
50 Shades of Orc suffered the novella length curse. The world these characters were part of and the intricacy of that world needed a full length novel rather than a shorter story. I felt like I spent more time trying to understand the story rather than enjoying it.

When you call something spicy and it's a novella, it really needs to have that spice early and often and I felt like it was lacking. The steam in here also felt a little strange without more background on the mating habits of orcs.

The characters felt a little one dimensional and I just truly believe this could have been much better if there was a higher word count. Overall, I liked it but I didn't love it.
Profile Image for CelticMoonGoddess.
450 reviews7 followers
January 12, 2024
I do love when novella's can create good characters, exciting storylines and mix in good steamy sex scenes. If you like your monsters sexy as erotic fantasies go this short read is a good one and read quick enough as was intrigued with two main characters, storyline and the great sex scenes.

Only con was cliff hangar of an ending which was not expecting to be left hanging but am exciting to read more from this author within this fantasy world and hope to have my curiosity of what happens next finally answered!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Christine Rains.
Author 57 books245 followers
March 21, 2024
Looking for her big story, reporter Summer goes undercover and meets cocky billionaire Tom who wants to help change society's opinion of orcs. He has a secret, and when she discovers it, she way more turned on to him than her story.

This was a fun and sweet short romance read. There's a lot of setup with Summer going undercover hoping for that big break, and Tom trying to be the leader he needs to be. Their attraction is sizzling, and there are a lot of steamy scenes in the latter half, but a little restraining doesn't make it BDSM, and I'd hoped for more in that area. Interesting world building about the orcs and what they must do to have a future.
Profile Image for Beth Willcocks.
13 reviews1 follower
November 29, 2023
Thoroughly enjoyed this book!
The writing was great, I loved the characters, the build was good, and the spice was on point! Lovely little novella and such as easy read! Read it in one sitting!
If I had to complain about anything, it's that there wasn't more of it! This could have easily been a full length book and I would have eaten it all up. The way it ended leaves so many unanswered questions and leaves it open for a second book and I am definitely hoping for that because I need more!
Would definitely recommend 🤗
Profile Image for Andrea.
225 reviews6 followers
December 28, 2023
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was the 1st book I have read by this author and I'm so glad I did. This was an enjoyable novella and has set me up to look forward to more from this author If they are all as good as this one, wow, are we in for a ride. Well written, flows well and has a good storyline. I love that he hides his ORC self so he can be a strong voice for his kind and I love Olivia, she is a badass and I'm hoping a book for her as well and I need more on the brother. overall great read
Profile Image for Cc.
2,087 reviews1 follower
April 2, 2024
Summer and Tom

He’s the king Orc able to shift to human. He is trying to save his fellow Orc warriors that came into this world from another Realm

Summer is a journalist trying to get a story on billionaire Tom not realizing he’s an Orc, not just someone trying to fund an Orc charity.

When Tom first meets Summer he is drawn by her scent.

The title of this books has you expecting certain things like BDSM but there’s none of that. In fact there’s nothing in this book that you would expect from the title.

Interesting twist in Orcs but nothing else to recommend this story.
Profile Image for Unusable Booklore.
434 reviews2 followers
April 28, 2024
Super fun series starter

Orc shifter 
Sneaky reporter with anxiety issues 
Insta matey like lust 

I didn’t read the blurb - I only really grabbed book 1 because I was keen to read book 5

I'm pretty happy with my choice to give this a chance. I really enjoyed this it was short and fun, filled with loads of story set up, and mystery for the following books in this series. I'd be lying if I wasn't a little worried that the characters in the second book are completely different, but I'm still going to give it a chance. 
404 reviews2 followers
May 12, 2024
I usually steer clear of books with things like prophecies and chosen ones but this one grabbed my attention. I was mostly interested in the orc/human lovers aspect but when the magic was introduced it didn't feel out of place or silly like many stories in the same vein.

This story had a unique feel throughout of fantastic wonder and familiarity that a good urban fantasy should have. I particularly liked that while the series continues and is interconnected it works well as a standalone.

The spice is 3.75/5 spicy
3,514 reviews
January 16, 2024
Summer and Tom. Both have secrets, some know some unknown. Orcs have come to this place through a portal but can’t return. Tom seems to be their champion of sorts. Summer used to have a blog but is now an intern. These two have an attraction but don’t know why. Short read. Steamy and conflicting feeling make a good short story.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Lisa Bing.
6,237 reviews70 followers
January 18, 2024
This was a fun and steamy read by a new-to-me author. I found it well written, the characters well developed and the plot engaging. Summer, an unsuspecting journalist, and Tom, an orc that is in his human form to have a voice for his people, find themselves together. These two had great chemistry and the spice was well done. There is a cliffy at the end so I'm definitely looking forward to the next book to see who gets their story told and how things will continue to unfold. Can't wait ;D
Profile Image for Emma.
80 reviews
May 1, 2024
A delightfully orcish tale.

I really enjoyed reading this short. It was well written, the characters amusing and steamy without being too OTT.

I liked the dynamic of billionaire and journalist, hidden depths and secrets that slowly get uncovered on both sides. I think all of is have a part of themselves they feel the need to regulate or hide and wonder what it would be like to no longer need to.

I received a free copy for an honest review
221 reviews2 followers
November 27, 2023
3.5 ⭐️

Such a unique concept! I love the thought that went into the story, as well as the intrigue behind the idea of Mystics and what this discovery means for the series continuation. Also, that was some elite orc smut. Savagely delicious.

*(I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.)*
Profile Image for Shayleigh.
67 reviews1 follower
January 2, 2024
Thank you to the Author and the publisher for this arc.

This was my first orc romance and boooooooooy oh boy. I have been missing out. For such a short story, it was very well done in creating complex characters and giving a lot of information very quickly. I absolutely loved the story telling and can’t wait to read more about Summer and Tom.
1,550 reviews14 followers
January 2, 2024
I like this story about Summer wanting to break the first story of her career and Tom who wants to save the Orcs.
Sometimes honesty is the best policy which both find out in the story. The scenes are scorching, the romance is hot and both leads make the pages sizzle.
This is a sexy story with bite!
Profile Image for Uyen.
681 reviews17 followers
February 16, 2024
4.5⭐️

This was such an interesting concept.
The orcs came to this world and they’re trying to fit in and make the best for themselves.

The book did end on a good note regarding the MC, but kinda left some of the other points unanswered like the orcs future, the sleazy reporter, and Evans.

I would have liked to know more about what happened to the orcs and if they found more mystics.
Profile Image for Kristina.
815 reviews5 followers
April 23, 2024
An interesting take on orcs. The idea of mystics is a little different. Summer not knowing what she is and how the medications repress her natural instincts adds a nice little twist. Tom being able to shift from his orc self to a human self is also a little different. Is a entertaining read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Tonireads77.
43 reviews1 follower
April 27, 2024
I received an ARC for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I loved this! It was an easy and quick read and I even would have loved for it to be longer so I could have had some more history on the orcs.

I laughed and gasped and fanned myself during this read. The humour was great and those spicy scenes were *chefs kiss*!
854 reviews4 followers
May 29, 2024
Very unique book. Was a very fast read and very interesting. When these "people" can shift and also turn green and have horns, was cool. Not knowing if you were an orc or mystic. So when Summer was younger she had gotten "anxiety" and the doctors gave her medicine to prevent the anger issues. When Tom met Summer he knew she was not all human. What happens next?
Profile Image for Sara  Persman.
232 reviews3 followers
October 9, 2023
This novella was extremely well written, it has a great flow, keeps the reader engaged, the amount of 🌶 is spot on, and honestly I would love to read more as the ending leaves you wanting more. It's definitely worth the read!
Profile Image for Ingrid Spera.
1,124 reviews29 followers
November 24, 2023
Oh heck yes! I needed this bit of orc love in my life. Enough ferocity to match what you look for in an orc story with the romance and love we all like with minimal drama. I loved it and now need more!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews

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