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Coveted by the Orc #1
Gentling the Beast
When the Blighten raided my village, my mother gave me her last words of advice.
“Find the biggest, most fearsome man and throw yourself at his mercy. There is no shame before the Goddess in doing whatever you must to survive.”
Which was easier said than done.
I lived in denial for a time, daydreaming of a handsome prince who would rescue me and take me to his grand castle. Here, we would live happily ever after, making royal babies.
Reality is cold and bitter.
No such prince comes.
And later, when my vulnerability as a bondservant manifests terrifying consequences, an unexpected savior swoops in.
Not a prince, but a hideous white orc and the ugliest beast I have ever met—a mute outcast with shifter blood but who cannot shift.
Only I sense he has a good heart, and I remember my mother’s advice.
Can I overcome my aversion?
Maybe he thinks I am ugly too?
Will I even survive mating such a fierce male?
But if I don’t try, who will be there to save me the next time human predators come around?
And so I decide, one way or another, that the white orcish monster is going to be mine.
Publisher's note: Orc and human pairing in a fantasy setting with some violence and gore.
“Find the biggest, most fearsome man and throw yourself at his mercy. There is no shame before the Goddess in doing whatever you must to survive.”
Which was easier said than done.
I lived in denial for a time, daydreaming of a handsome prince who would rescue me and take me to his grand castle. Here, we would live happily ever after, making royal babies.
Reality is cold and bitter.
No such prince comes.
And later, when my vulnerability as a bondservant manifests terrifying consequences, an unexpected savior swoops in.
Not a prince, but a hideous white orc and the ugliest beast I have ever met—a mute outcast with shifter blood but who cannot shift.
Only I sense he has a good heart, and I remember my mother’s advice.
Can I overcome my aversion?
Maybe he thinks I am ugly too?
Will I even survive mating such a fierce male?
But if I don’t try, who will be there to save me the next time human predators come around?
And so I decide, one way or another, that the white orcish monster is going to be mine.
Publisher's note: Orc and human pairing in a fantasy setting with some violence and gore.
374 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 3, 2023
846 people are currently reading
1322 people want to read
About the author
L.V. Lane
74 books1,791 followersIn a secret garden hidden behind a wall of shrubs and trees amid a tiny English village, you'll find L.V. Lane's writing den, where she crafts spicy adventures...Magical and mythical creatures, wolf shifters, and alphas of every flavor give our sweet, sometimes willful omegas and heroines a guaranteed HEA.
If you like my books, you might also like my contemporary pen name, Verity Arden!
Content Advice can be found on my author website below and usually against the book description and or author review on Goodreads.
Where to find me:
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Website
Mailing list
Bookbub
Facebook Page
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Amazon
For Free short stories see my website under Books|FREE READS
If you like my books, you might also like my contemporary pen name, Verity Arden!
Content Advice can be found on my author website below and usually against the book description and or author review on Goodreads.
Where to find me:
Patron
Website
Mailing list
Bookbub
Facebook Page
Facebook Reader Group
Amazon
For Free short stories see my website under Books|FREE READS
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 209 reviews
November 8, 2023
4 Change Is Coming For All Of Us Stars ⭐
We are none of us masters of our own destiny. We are all just dandelion seeds floating in the wind.
This author does an amazing job of creating fantasy worlds regardless of the subject. In Gentling the Beast we meet Jasmine, a human bondservant that has been taken by Orcs after her family was killed and her village destroyed.
Now a carer of children, Jasmine understands that she will never be safe or free in this war torn world she's been thrust into. Her only real choice is to find a mate and protector. He just happens to be in the form of a mute, outcast shifter Orc.
There was a time when I thought his smile was fearsome, and that he was the ugliest creature on the planet. Time and burgeoning affection have overwritten those initial impressions.
Let's just say the romance between Jasmine and Doug was long winded and reticent. Where Jasmine sees the potential and goodness in Doug, he believes himself undeserving. Yet the moment Jasmine's safety is threatened, there's no question what he must do. Claim her.
“Please let me tend you. Please, I need to!”
He growls and tightens his arm over my wriggling before he doubles down on tormenting my pussy with his wicked orc tongue.
I hope you enjoy Oral Sex because there was loads of it while Jasmine tries forever to get Doug to feed her his monster cock and knot her. In the middle of this dilemma, there is a mutiny happening in the background between Shifters and the Orcs.
It took me ages to finish this book. A combination of being really busy over the last few days but also parts of the story that were tedious to get through. However the relationship between Jasmine and Doug was tender, loving and oh so very passionate. You easily understand how you would look past the physical attributes of Doug that others would deem ugly.
BR with the lovely Rain. A big thank you for the vision of copious amounts of cum you planted in my mind very early into this read!!
We are none of us masters of our own destiny. We are all just dandelion seeds floating in the wind.
This author does an amazing job of creating fantasy worlds regardless of the subject. In Gentling the Beast we meet Jasmine, a human bondservant that has been taken by Orcs after her family was killed and her village destroyed.
Now a carer of children, Jasmine understands that she will never be safe or free in this war torn world she's been thrust into. Her only real choice is to find a mate and protector. He just happens to be in the form of a mute, outcast shifter Orc.
There was a time when I thought his smile was fearsome, and that he was the ugliest creature on the planet. Time and burgeoning affection have overwritten those initial impressions.
Let's just say the romance between Jasmine and Doug was long winded and reticent. Where Jasmine sees the potential and goodness in Doug, he believes himself undeserving. Yet the moment Jasmine's safety is threatened, there's no question what he must do. Claim her.
“Please let me tend you. Please, I need to!”
He growls and tightens his arm over my wriggling before he doubles down on tormenting my pussy with his wicked orc tongue.
I hope you enjoy Oral Sex because there was loads of it while Jasmine tries forever to get Doug to feed her his monster cock and knot her. In the middle of this dilemma, there is a mutiny happening in the background between Shifters and the Orcs.
It took me ages to finish this book. A combination of being really busy over the last few days but also parts of the story that were tedious to get through. However the relationship between Jasmine and Doug was tender, loving and oh so very passionate. You easily understand how you would look past the physical attributes of Doug that others would deem ugly.
BR with the lovely Rain. A big thank you for the vision of copious amounts of cum you planted in my mind very early into this read!!
November 7, 2023
*3.5 rounded up for the main characters*
A bleak world full of murder, rape, bond servants/slaves. Yet underneath all of the horror is a very sweet couple.
Doug is a half human, half orc who is mute. He is the epitome of a gentle giant, with a heart of gold. He is also a shifter, but we don’t learn what kind until much later in the story.
Jasmine is 13 when the orc hordes slaughter her entire village and take her captive. She is raised as a bond servant, with many other humans and orcs. When she draws the attention of an awful human male, she remembers the words her mother uttered before she died.
“Trust your heart and instincts. Find the biggest, most fearsome male and throw yourself at his mercy. There is no shame before the Goddess in doing whatever you must to survive.”
Doug soon comes to her rescue, and their attraction is mutual. Doug was horrifically damaged as a young male and he has never been intimate with anyone. He is terrified if Jasmine sees him naked, she will deem him unworthy. So he goes about learning how to please her orally. For months, years even!
As much as I enjoyed this story, it took WAY too long for these characters, to consummate their relationship. It was also very distracting that this book contained numerous side characters from previous stories in the series. It read like filler, unnecessary boring information about past characters.
While this book has a much darker plot than the others, there is still copious amounts of ejaculate, and extreme dirty talk to be found.
Broken into four sections with two epilogues, you will get the sweetest and hard fought for HEA. I really enjoyed these two characters and wished this story was simply about them.
I have come to love the orc whose protection I bartered for with my body. When I was younger, I dreamed of marrying a prince. Instead, I am mated to a giant and a monster, yet he is now the prince of my heart.
BR with Isabella, just because. 😊
A bleak world full of murder, rape, bond servants/slaves. Yet underneath all of the horror is a very sweet couple.
Doug is a half human, half orc who is mute. He is the epitome of a gentle giant, with a heart of gold. He is also a shifter, but we don’t learn what kind until much later in the story.
Jasmine is 13 when the orc hordes slaughter her entire village and take her captive. She is raised as a bond servant, with many other humans and orcs. When she draws the attention of an awful human male, she remembers the words her mother uttered before she died.
“Trust your heart and instincts. Find the biggest, most fearsome male and throw yourself at his mercy. There is no shame before the Goddess in doing whatever you must to survive.”
Doug soon comes to her rescue, and their attraction is mutual. Doug was horrifically damaged as a young male and he has never been intimate with anyone. He is terrified if Jasmine sees him naked, she will deem him unworthy. So he goes about learning how to please her orally. For months, years even!
As much as I enjoyed this story, it took WAY too long for these characters, to consummate their relationship. It was also very distracting that this book contained numerous side characters from previous stories in the series. It read like filler, unnecessary boring information about past characters.
While this book has a much darker plot than the others, there is still copious amounts of ejaculate, and extreme dirty talk to be found.
Broken into four sections with two epilogues, you will get the sweetest and hard fought for HEA. I really enjoyed these two characters and wished this story was simply about them.
I have come to love the orc whose protection I bartered for with my body. When I was younger, I dreamed of marrying a prince. Instead, I am mated to a giant and a monster, yet he is now the prince of my heart.
BR with Isabella, just because. 😊
November 3, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
She is mine. Mine to protect. Mine to cherish. Mine to love. Mine to knot.
If you’re looking for a sweet fantasy romance with a protective and possessive Orc MMC, look no further than Gentling the Beast. I fell in love with Doug, the mute orc/shifter half-breed, from his first scene. He is such a gentle being (until his mate is threatened, then watch out!) with a surprisingly dirty mind.
This chosen mates romance is fast-burn and spicy. Both MCs are virgins, and they discover the pleasures of the flesh together. There is a huge size difference between Jasmine and her orc, which leads to plenty of make-it-fit and it-hurts-so-good scenes.
Gentling the Beast is a standalone with crossover events and characters from precious Coveted Prey books.
Genre: Fantasy Monster Romance
Tropes/Features: Chosen mates, mute orc/shifter halfbreed MMC, human FMC, virgins, size difference, fancy peen (knot), make it fit, gentle giant, filthy mouth, knotting, breeding
Narrator: Dual 1st Person POV
Relationship Type: MF, fast-burn, spicy
Book Type/Ending: Standalone in Coveted Prey series, HEA
TW/CW: Available in Author’s comment in GR
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
She is mine. Mine to protect. Mine to cherish. Mine to love. Mine to knot.
If you’re looking for a sweet fantasy romance with a protective and possessive Orc MMC, look no further than Gentling the Beast. I fell in love with Doug, the mute orc/shifter half-breed, from his first scene. He is such a gentle being (until his mate is threatened, then watch out!) with a surprisingly dirty mind.
This chosen mates romance is fast-burn and spicy. Both MCs are virgins, and they discover the pleasures of the flesh together. There is a huge size difference between Jasmine and her orc, which leads to plenty of make-it-fit and it-hurts-so-good scenes.
Gentling the Beast is a standalone with crossover events and characters from precious Coveted Prey books.
Genre: Fantasy Monster Romance
Tropes/Features: Chosen mates, mute orc/shifter halfbreed MMC, human FMC, virgins, size difference, fancy peen (knot), make it fit, gentle giant, filthy mouth, knotting, breeding
Narrator: Dual 1st Person POV
Relationship Type: MF, fast-burn, spicy
Book Type/Ending: Standalone in Coveted Prey series, HEA
TW/CW: Available in Author’s comment in GR
December 24, 2023
*+:｡.｡3.5 stars ｡.｡:+*
This was such a gem of a book- I'm in love with Jasmine & Doug's story 🤧🤧. They were the definition of ride or die.
I definitely thought that some of the plot and side characters really dragged this, especially towards the end, but overall it was a nice book.
"Here in this barbaric place of sorrow, within the body of a savage orc, a gentle soul exists."
This was such a gem of a book- I'm in love with Jasmine & Doug's story 🤧🤧. They were the definition of ride or die.
I definitely thought that some of the plot and side characters really dragged this, especially towards the end, but overall it was a nice book.
November 13, 2023
His name was Doug.
November 15, 2023
3.5 stars!
Gentling the Beast felt gentle in comparison to who our hero was supposed to be and there was a lot of build up before our MCs were truly intimate. Jasmine and Doug were cute but their story felt a little long to be honest. I liked this mostly.
Gentling the Beast felt gentle in comparison to who our hero was supposed to be and there was a lot of build up before our MCs were truly intimate. Jasmine and Doug were cute but their story felt a little long to be honest. I liked this mostly.
“You are mine, mate. Mine forever. Mine until your Goddess takes us both to her side, for she’s my Goddess too, now. Until that time, I shall worship you, my love, my world, the mother of my unborn child, my filthy, needy little mate.”
January 9, 2024
I liked the book, it was sweet and spicy, but I somehow didn't really get to grips with the characters and therefore didn't empathize particularly strongly with them. So I was okay with it, but wouldn't read it again.
Read
November 7, 2023Triggers notes and warnings. This will contain spoilers.
Violence and gore.
Assaults, SA - None are related to the H against the h.
Death, cruelty, manipulation, blackmail.
Kidnap and servitude.
Violence and gore.
Assaults, SA - None are related to the H against the h.
Death, cruelty, manipulation, blackmail.
Kidnap and servitude.
May 9, 2024
If L.V. Lane writes it, I’m gonna read it!!
December 22, 2023
— 3 stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Trust your heart and instincts. Find the biggest, most fearsome male and throw yourself at his mercy. There is no shame before the Goddess in doing whatever you must to survive.”
📖 | 370 pages
👤 | author L.V. Lane
🏢 | published independently
📅 | release date 3 November 2023
What you can expect:
— Monster Fantasy Romance
— First-Person POV
— Dual-POV
— Standalone Within A Series
— Half Orc/Shifter X Human
— Virgin Hero X Virgin Heroine
— Gentle Giant
Trigger and content warnings include: violence and gore, assault, SA/attempted (not between main characters), death, blackmail, kidnapping, servitude.
Gentling the Beast is a standalone Fantasy Monster Romance set within the Coveted Pray series by author L.V. Lane. Jasmine was only thirteen years old when her entire life changed. The Blighten— an army on Orcs, brutalised her small and peaceful farming village as they slaughtered her community and kidnapped children of age to force into servitude. Jasmine spends many years caring for the children that come and go from where she is stationed when she is re-assigned to become the caretaker of a sole Faerie child and is forced to accept that safety and freedom shall never be within her grasp. If she is ever to survive in a world filled with brutality Jasmine must heed her mother's last words before her death— in order to survive Jasmine must find herself a mate, the biggest and most fearsome male who she can throw herself at his mercy in the hopes of safety and survival. Doug is a low-ranked and mute half-Orc half-Shifter who is largely rejected by both sides of his heritage. After being brutalised as a young male Doug has found himself unable to become vulnerable enough to be intimate with anybody, as he battles daily with moments of loneliness and feelings of unworthiness. When Doug happens upon a human male as he tries to force himself upon Jasmine, he comes to her aid and becomes a silent protector who is willing to do whatever it takes to secure her safety. Jasmine always dreamed of a human Prince who would swoop in and rush her away to safety. But what happens when it is not the Prince that Jasmine had dreamed of, but a hideous white orc and the ugliest beast she has ever set her sights on? A beast with a kind soul and a gentle heart? One way or another, Jasmine is determined to ensure that the white orcish monster will become be hers.
Gentling the Beast was an overall super sweet romance which kept me engaged and hoping for a happy ending. The themes are pretty brutal within this story, however the relationship progression between Jasmine and Doug brought a lightness to the overall bleak and brutal world. The book is split into four parts and I sometimes found the pacing to feel inconsistent and a struggle to stay connected to. There was much more plot-line than I hadn't been initially anticipating which was definitely a nice surprise, however I did at times find it to unnecessarily drag out whilst also failing to round up the several scattered plot-points established. The plot itself felt intense and fast-paced at times, and I would've appreciated a stronger sense of finality with the side-characters as for much felt left unestablished. Also, I'm sorry but I can't get over the fact that the male character's name is Doug. A beastly half-Orc named Doug. I just couldn't take him seriously at times as a result of his name as I found myself picturing the dog named 'Dug' from the Pixar movie, Up.
Doug as a main character and love interest was so sweet, I truly adored him. From the very beginning you could tell despite his beasty exterior he was a gentle giant who craved and wished to be loved. After being horrifically mutilated as a young child Doug battles with feeling unworthy and undeserving of a mate. He has accepted the fate that has been forced upon him, and is committed to staying under the radar as a low-ranked Orc within The Blighten who's responsible for overseeing the human bond-servants. That is he happens upon Jasmine as a human man is trying to force himself upon her, and his protective instincts flare with a need to keep her safe from harm. Unable to verbally communicate, Doug does everything he can to demonstrate that he means her know harm and merely wishes to protect her. His shifter animal is determined to claim Jasmine as their mate, and I truly emotionally connected with Doug's internal battle as he struggled to feel deserving and wanted of Jasmine's affections. I enjoyed Jasmine as a main character to follow within this story. Her POV was a struggle to swallow due to the sometimes brutal expectations set upon her shoulders as a woman and a slave. Human slaves were known to offer sexual favours in exchange for food and protection, however thankfully Jasmine and Doug found one-another before that became her reality. Jasmine is that perfect balance of strength and vulnerability, and her keenness to serve Doug well was really sweet in context. You really begin to see her fall for Doug and his gentle nature little-by-little, and the tenderness and care she displays in return is heartfelt and genuine. When Doug opens himself to vulnerability Jasmine never seeks to make him feel less, and instead uses that as motivation to further prove her acceptance and love towards him. They're a really sweet pair that compliment one another well, and I was overall really glad to see them reach that happily ever after.
Gentling the Beast was a really fun read to easily immerse yourself into and consume within a day. I do think it could have benefitted from being shorter in length, however the established relationship between Doug and Jasmine was earnest and addictive which kept me engaged and rooted for that happy ending.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Trust your heart and instincts. Find the biggest, most fearsome male and throw yourself at his mercy. There is no shame before the Goddess in doing whatever you must to survive.”
📖 | 370 pages
👤 | author L.V. Lane
🏢 | published independently
📅 | release date 3 November 2023
What you can expect:
— Monster Fantasy Romance
— First-Person POV
— Dual-POV
— Standalone Within A Series
— Half Orc/Shifter X Human
— Virgin Hero X Virgin Heroine
— Gentle Giant
Trigger and content warnings include: violence and gore, assault, SA/attempted (not between main characters), death, blackmail, kidnapping, servitude.
Gentling the Beast is a standalone Fantasy Monster Romance set within the Coveted Pray series by author L.V. Lane. Jasmine was only thirteen years old when her entire life changed. The Blighten— an army on Orcs, brutalised her small and peaceful farming village as they slaughtered her community and kidnapped children of age to force into servitude. Jasmine spends many years caring for the children that come and go from where she is stationed when she is re-assigned to become the caretaker of a sole Faerie child and is forced to accept that safety and freedom shall never be within her grasp. If she is ever to survive in a world filled with brutality Jasmine must heed her mother's last words before her death— in order to survive Jasmine must find herself a mate, the biggest and most fearsome male who she can throw herself at his mercy in the hopes of safety and survival. Doug is a low-ranked and mute half-Orc half-Shifter who is largely rejected by both sides of his heritage. After being brutalised as a young male Doug has found himself unable to become vulnerable enough to be intimate with anybody, as he battles daily with moments of loneliness and feelings of unworthiness. When Doug happens upon a human male as he tries to force himself upon Jasmine, he comes to her aid and becomes a silent protector who is willing to do whatever it takes to secure her safety. Jasmine always dreamed of a human Prince who would swoop in and rush her away to safety. But what happens when it is not the Prince that Jasmine had dreamed of, but a hideous white orc and the ugliest beast she has ever set her sights on? A beast with a kind soul and a gentle heart? One way or another, Jasmine is determined to ensure that the white orcish monster will become be hers.
Gentling the Beast was an overall super sweet romance which kept me engaged and hoping for a happy ending. The themes are pretty brutal within this story, however the relationship progression between Jasmine and Doug brought a lightness to the overall bleak and brutal world. The book is split into four parts and I sometimes found the pacing to feel inconsistent and a struggle to stay connected to. There was much more plot-line than I hadn't been initially anticipating which was definitely a nice surprise, however I did at times find it to unnecessarily drag out whilst also failing to round up the several scattered plot-points established. The plot itself felt intense and fast-paced at times, and I would've appreciated a stronger sense of finality with the side-characters as for much felt left unestablished. Also, I'm sorry but I can't get over the fact that the male character's name is Doug. A beastly half-Orc named Doug. I just couldn't take him seriously at times as a result of his name as I found myself picturing the dog named 'Dug' from the Pixar movie, Up.
Doug as a main character and love interest was so sweet, I truly adored him. From the very beginning you could tell despite his beasty exterior he was a gentle giant who craved and wished to be loved. After being horrifically mutilated as a young child Doug battles with feeling unworthy and undeserving of a mate. He has accepted the fate that has been forced upon him, and is committed to staying under the radar as a low-ranked Orc within The Blighten who's responsible for overseeing the human bond-servants. That is he happens upon Jasmine as a human man is trying to force himself upon her, and his protective instincts flare with a need to keep her safe from harm. Unable to verbally communicate, Doug does everything he can to demonstrate that he means her know harm and merely wishes to protect her. His shifter animal is determined to claim Jasmine as their mate, and I truly emotionally connected with Doug's internal battle as he struggled to feel deserving and wanted of Jasmine's affections. I enjoyed Jasmine as a main character to follow within this story. Her POV was a struggle to swallow due to the sometimes brutal expectations set upon her shoulders as a woman and a slave. Human slaves were known to offer sexual favours in exchange for food and protection, however thankfully Jasmine and Doug found one-another before that became her reality. Jasmine is that perfect balance of strength and vulnerability, and her keenness to serve Doug well was really sweet in context. You really begin to see her fall for Doug and his gentle nature little-by-little, and the tenderness and care she displays in return is heartfelt and genuine. When Doug opens himself to vulnerability Jasmine never seeks to make him feel less, and instead uses that as motivation to further prove her acceptance and love towards him. They're a really sweet pair that compliment one another well, and I was overall really glad to see them reach that happily ever after.
Gentling the Beast was a really fun read to easily immerse yourself into and consume within a day. I do think it could have benefitted from being shorter in length, however the established relationship between Doug and Jasmine was earnest and addictive which kept me engaged and rooted for that happy ending.
April 12, 2024
Maybe a 2.5 stars
I thought the plot was a bit all over the place and at sometimes it overtook the romance. I think this book would have been better if it focused more on the relationship building. They didn't actual encounter any obstacles to them pairing up. I thought that would have been one of the conflicts but it wasn't.
Overall, I found myself skimming a lot of this book. Not sure that I would pick up anything else by Lane. I just don't think the writing is for me.
I thought the plot was a bit all over the place and at sometimes it overtook the romance. I think this book would have been better if it focused more on the relationship building. They didn't actual encounter any obstacles to them pairing up. I thought that would have been one of the conflicts but it wasn't.
Overall, I found myself skimming a lot of this book. Not sure that I would pick up anything else by Lane. I just don't think the writing is for me.
January 22, 2024
I loved this romance and I especially loved Doug (the mute orc/beast shifter)..
It had adventure throughout and lots of sexy spice..the story kept me hooked all the way to the end..
they went through so much crap in their life,that I was relieved to read their happy ending 🥰
It had adventure throughout and lots of sexy spice..the story kept me hooked all the way to the end..
they went through so much crap in their life,that I was relieved to read their happy ending 🥰
Read
December 28, 2023DNF @ 52%
gave-up-on
December 17, 2024DNF. Dual virgins, the hero is mute also, but I just couldn’t do it. 😭
January 9, 2024
3.5/5 rounding up to 4 because I feel like it
Ok, look, I liked this, it was pretty good but I think we need to address the huge elephant in the room. His name is Doug. DOUG. The ugliest, biggest alpha orc shifter and his name is fucking Doug????!?!? I just can't.
That aside, I liked him as the MMC. He was infatuated with the FMC and was able to overcome his abuse and insecurities. I love big, growly alphas who are only kind to their mates. I didn't really think the FMC had as much growth and she was just kinda there. She def went through a lot in the book but she was just an ok character.
There were a lot of conflicts in this, and it dragged for the last quarter. Nothing too boring but it did seem a little unnecessary. I would have like a couple chapters in the end where they build their happy ending together and finally have some peace and quiet, instead of the short epilogue which didn't quite hit the spot.
Ok, look, I liked this, it was pretty good but I think we need to address the huge elephant in the room. His name is Doug. DOUG. The ugliest, biggest alpha orc shifter and his name is fucking Doug????!?!? I just can't.
That aside, I liked him as the MMC. He was infatuated with the FMC and was able to overcome his abuse and insecurities. I love big, growly alphas who are only kind to their mates. I didn't really think the FMC had as much growth and she was just kinda there. She def went through a lot in the book but she was just an ok character.
There were a lot of conflicts in this, and it dragged for the last quarter. Nothing too boring but it did seem a little unnecessary. I would have like a couple chapters in the end where they build their happy ending together and finally have some peace and quiet, instead of the short epilogue which didn't quite hit the spot.
April 9, 2024
Interesting premise as well as the world itself but sometime halfway through (when they joined the pack) I lost any semblance of interest and ended up skimming the rest of the book. Dunno, it had great potential bit just fell flat for me 🤷🏻♀️
November 15, 2023
A very sweet and spicy book, that could have been 100 pages less. Very repetitive for about 60 pages straight.
January 16, 2025
2.5 stars
- FMC: Jasmine
- MMC: Doug
- POVs Included: Dual POVs (Jasmine, Doug)
-----------------------------------
-----------------------------------
SUMMARY: (SPOILER WARNING)
Jasmine is a human whose village was attacked by the Blighten (an orc army) when she was a teen. She was taken to be a bondservant and given the task of taking care of the younger children. Everything is okay until she is moved to another camp and the soldiers there are rougher and meaner and expect things of her that she doesn't want to give.
So she takes to heart advice her mom gave her -- to find the biggest and meanest looking male to mate so she can be protected. She sets her sight on Doug -- a half-orc, half-shifter who is also a bondservant but very strong and intimidating.
As she gets to know him though they fall in love. And they officially mate, allowing them to stay together no matter where their travels take them.
-----------------------------------
-----------------------------------
REVIEW:
I believe we first met Jasmine and Doug in Winter and Jacob's book, Rapture. Then they appeared again in Fern and her mates' book, Bound to the Pack. They are also mentioned in Melody Unbound (the book for Melody as an adult -- she is the fairy girl Jasmine watches over as a child while she is with the Blighten).
This book actually overlaps the storylines for Rapture and Bound to the Pack, which is kind of neat. But also feels a tad repetitive if you've already read those books.
So I have been both looking forward to hearing Jasmine and Doug's story (since we have seen so much of them in previous books), while at the same time I was kind of dreading it because I'm not a fan of the orc, centaur, etc monster books in this series.
I didn't love this one for several reasons.
The biggest issue for me is that it's too long and repetitive. It's not a terribly long book in general, but it feels long because it drags in places and is rather boring (in my opinion).
The next problem I had was with Doug being mute. I don't like it when one of the MC's can't properly communicate with the other one. It makes it hard to feel a connection between them. I will say though that it was done fairly well. The fact that we get Doug's POV helped a lot. And then once they officially mate, they are able to communicate telepathically, which helped a lot.
So those were my two main issues. I liked Doug (except for his terribly lame name), and I liked Jasmine. But they were also...boring. I didn't hate them but I just found them to be kind of dull.
As far as other characters go, I am curious about what came of Bron (Doug's orc friend), as well as Penny (Jasmine's human bondservant friend). We know Bard ends up back with Melody at some point because he makes an appearance in her book. I am also curious about Ashe (Oberon's new pack leader). His name sounds so familiar to me, but I dug around and don't think he's had a book yet. Would love one for him.
The steam for the book was okay. I liked Doug's internal dirty talk quite a bit. But his reluctance to have penetrative sex for a good chunk of the book was annoying (even if his fears were justified).
Overall this was...meh-to-okay. I liked the characters and the crossovers. I liked the various stages we followed them on with each new place they ended up. But it was all rather boring and slow as well.
- FMC: Jasmine
- MMC: Doug
- POVs Included: Dual POVs (Jasmine, Doug)
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SUMMARY: (SPOILER WARNING)
Jasmine is a human whose village was attacked by the Blighten (an orc army) when she was a teen. She was taken to be a bondservant and given the task of taking care of the younger children. Everything is okay until she is moved to another camp and the soldiers there are rougher and meaner and expect things of her that she doesn't want to give.
So she takes to heart advice her mom gave her -- to find the biggest and meanest looking male to mate so she can be protected. She sets her sight on Doug -- a half-orc, half-shifter who is also a bondservant but very strong and intimidating.
As she gets to know him though they fall in love. And they officially mate, allowing them to stay together no matter where their travels take them.
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REVIEW:
I believe we first met Jasmine and Doug in Winter and Jacob's book, Rapture. Then they appeared again in Fern and her mates' book, Bound to the Pack. They are also mentioned in Melody Unbound (the book for Melody as an adult -- she is the fairy girl Jasmine watches over as a child while she is with the Blighten).
This book actually overlaps the storylines for Rapture and Bound to the Pack, which is kind of neat. But also feels a tad repetitive if you've already read those books.
So I have been both looking forward to hearing Jasmine and Doug's story (since we have seen so much of them in previous books), while at the same time I was kind of dreading it because I'm not a fan of the orc, centaur, etc monster books in this series.
I didn't love this one for several reasons.
The biggest issue for me is that it's too long and repetitive. It's not a terribly long book in general, but it feels long because it drags in places and is rather boring (in my opinion).
The next problem I had was with Doug being mute. I don't like it when one of the MC's can't properly communicate with the other one. It makes it hard to feel a connection between them. I will say though that it was done fairly well. The fact that we get Doug's POV helped a lot. And then once they officially mate, they are able to communicate telepathically, which helped a lot.
So those were my two main issues. I liked Doug (except for his terribly lame name), and I liked Jasmine. But they were also...boring. I didn't hate them but I just found them to be kind of dull.
As far as other characters go, I am curious about what came of Bron (Doug's orc friend), as well as Penny (Jasmine's human bondservant friend). We know Bard ends up back with Melody at some point because he makes an appearance in her book. I am also curious about Ashe (Oberon's new pack leader). His name sounds so familiar to me, but I dug around and don't think he's had a book yet. Would love one for him.
The steam for the book was okay. I liked Doug's internal dirty talk quite a bit. But his reluctance to have penetrative sex for a good chunk of the book was annoying (even if his fears were justified).
Overall this was...meh-to-okay. I liked the characters and the crossovers. I liked the various stages we followed them on with each new place they ended up. But it was all rather boring and slow as well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 12, 2025
3.75
I came into this book with a mind ready for lots of questionable spice and ended up getting into the story and enjoying that more.
There was a lot going on with constantly seemingly important new characters just to have them disappear. I knew there were other books related to this series but I didn’t realize the amount of them.
Anyway, I realize now that I kind of just jumped into the middle of it and feel like I gotta start from the beginning. Which I did with the other related series to this and that didn’t go over very well. Not that it ruined anything but it was as if I started off with the best one and all the ones before it sucked. Even the one after it did too. Luckily the last one was good and made it feel slightly worth it. Hoping there are more good than bad with this one though seeing as there are so many.
Anyway, this book although interesting, cute, funny, sad, morbid, and a tad gruesome at times also had me skimming over large chunks of it because it was so repetitive or just filled with unnecessary information.
I do like that even though they had some insta lust going on they took their time to truly build their love. That was super sweet and I thoroughly enjoyed that development.
Also, I really love our big sweet white orc and am so happy for him. I really liked Jasmine too even though she annoyed me a little at one point but she definitely learned her lesson and that didn’t happen again. I enjoyed watching her growth through all of this. They are just too cute together 🥰
I hope things come together better now that I will be starting from the actual first book. Here’s to hoping 🤞🏻
I came into this book with a mind ready for lots of questionable spice and ended up getting into the story and enjoying that more.
There was a lot going on with constantly seemingly important new characters just to have them disappear. I knew there were other books related to this series but I didn’t realize the amount of them.
Anyway, I realize now that I kind of just jumped into the middle of it and feel like I gotta start from the beginning. Which I did with the other related series to this and that didn’t go over very well. Not that it ruined anything but it was as if I started off with the best one and all the ones before it sucked. Even the one after it did too. Luckily the last one was good and made it feel slightly worth it. Hoping there are more good than bad with this one though seeing as there are so many.
Anyway, this book although interesting, cute, funny, sad, morbid, and a tad gruesome at times also had me skimming over large chunks of it because it was so repetitive or just filled with unnecessary information.
I do like that even though they had some insta lust going on they took their time to truly build their love. That was super sweet and I thoroughly enjoyed that development.
Also, I really love our big sweet white orc and am so happy for him. I really liked Jasmine too even though she annoyed me a little at one point but she definitely learned her lesson and that didn’t happen again. I enjoyed watching her growth through all of this. They are just too cute together 🥰
I hope things come together better now that I will be starting from the actual first book. Here’s to hoping 🤞🏻
January 4, 2026
I really loved the main characters and the way they cared for each other so deeply, even with a language barrier between them. The MMC was absolutely my favorite—his POV kept me hooked, and that dirty mouth? Whew. Excuse me while I fan myself. He truly made the book for me.
This story is connected to other books but can be read as a standalone. That said, I do think reading the previous books first would have helped me better understand some of the political elements. There were moments where I felt a bit lost, but in hindsight, those scenes likely tied back to earlier installments.
- Chosen mates
- Mute MMC
- Breeding kink
- Size difference
- Virgin main characters
This story is connected to other books but can be read as a standalone. That said, I do think reading the previous books first would have helped me better understand some of the political elements. There were moments where I felt a bit lost, but in hindsight, those scenes likely tied back to earlier installments.
- Chosen mates
- Mute MMC
- Breeding kink
- Size difference
- Virgin main characters
October 28, 2024
Such a cute story a mean looking orc who is just very gentle. Being mistreated and put aside all his life he finally encounters someone he can be with. They go through various challenges though always taking each other into consideration and talking everything through. A non toxic romance with a happy ending.
November 3, 2023
This has definitely shot up as one of my favourites within the Coveted Prey Series!!!
Sweet Doug, he's a half Orc half shifter, and also mute 🥹 (but don't let this fool you, our sweet MMC had a filthy tongue on him 👀) he hasn't had it easy growing up, never finding his place and feeling like an abomination
And Jasmine, our equally sweet FMC hasn't had it easy either, unwillingly becoming part of an Orc horde after her parents and village were slaughtered by them, her mother's advice the only thing she clings to as she waits for her prince to rescue her
What she doesn't realise is that her prince comes in the form of a white half shifter half Orc 🥹
Their story is full of adventure, twists and turns and I loved every second of it, getting to know these characters and see them grow together was just everything 🤍
Sweet Doug, he's a half Orc half shifter, and also mute 🥹 (but don't let this fool you, our sweet MMC had a filthy tongue on him 👀) he hasn't had it easy growing up, never finding his place and feeling like an abomination
And Jasmine, our equally sweet FMC hasn't had it easy either, unwillingly becoming part of an Orc horde after her parents and village were slaughtered by them, her mother's advice the only thing she clings to as she waits for her prince to rescue her
What she doesn't realise is that her prince comes in the form of a white half shifter half Orc 🥹
Their story is full of adventure, twists and turns and I loved every second of it, getting to know these characters and see them grow together was just everything 🤍
January 22, 2024
L. V. Lane is one of those writers I will always have in my TBR, and Gentling the Beast is an example of why. A caring giant who will do anything for their love, a likable but relatable woman in a bind, and throw in some serious spice with an ever-present danger they both have to escape...this is Lane creating my idea of a comfort read.
Another reason to like this book and Lane’s portfolio is that one doesn’t need to be familiar with her greater built world or how omegaverse dynamics work to appreciate this book. It is sweet, with a bit of danger and adventure to whisk you away. I love that for my reading life.
Another reason to like this book and Lane’s portfolio is that one doesn’t need to be familiar with her greater built world or how omegaverse dynamics work to appreciate this book. It is sweet, with a bit of danger and adventure to whisk you away. I love that for my reading life.
November 3, 2023
The plot was exciting. The world building was lush and consistent. The sizzling scenes were hot and the relationship development was nuanced for the length of the novella. I enjoyed the fact that this one was MF. That was a nice change of pace for this series. I thoroughly enjoyed it, but I really wish it was longer.
I received a free copy of the book, and I am voluntarily writing this review.
I received a free copy of the book, and I am voluntarily writing this review.
July 30, 2025
cons:
ugly asf
pros:
doesn’t talk
ugly asf
pros:
doesn’t talk
December 31, 2025
Beweise der Liebe, berauscht & in vollen Zügen von Doug vereinnahmt & entzückt …
Der nächste Band, voller Gefahren, Krieg und dem Versuch zu überleben.
Jasmine hat nur abseits die Gefahren kennengelernt, verschleppt, und als Leibeigene hat sie im sicheren Umfeld immer um andere gesorgt.
Jetzt wird sie zum Freiwild und muss sich einen Beschützer suchen.
Ihr Schicksal führt sie zu Doug, dem stummen Halb-Ork, der sie beschützt und nichts fordert.
Schnell wird klar, dass sie seine Gefährtin sein soll, jedoch nie ganz beansprucht werden kann.
Berauschende Verstrickungen ziehen uns sofort in das vereinnahmte Lesevergnügen.
Doug ist als Stummer erstaunlich, weiß, wie er Jasmine für sich gewinnen kann.
Seine Absichten werden in fürsorglichen, beschützenden Taten bewusst.
Schnell wird bewusst, dass diese in berauschender Zweisamkeit enden, doch die Liebe immer bewusster zum Vorschein kommt.
Seid gewiss, ihr werdet begeistert sein, nicht nur von Jasmine überrascht.
Denn der Spice, sondern auch das Gewinnen für sich, das Beanspruchen, verstrickt.
Herausstechend auch die aktionsgeladenen, sehr brutalen Begebenheiten lassen nicht nur die Emotionen, sondern auch die Nerven übersprudeln.
Besonders wenn die Storyline von den vorherigen Bänden weitergeführt wird, wird man erstaunt und von altgeliebten Charakteren beeindruckt.
Eine tolle Mischung wird uns wieder geboten, die mich in den Bann gezogen hat.
Ein ergreifendes, emotionales als auch spicy, verführerisches Werk, das mich berauscht und in der Geschichte vollkommen eingenommen hat.
Der spannungsgeladene Teil überrascht und lässt nicht mehr los.
Hier ist nicht nur der beherrschende und verführende Teil, der hier hitzig und explosiv ist, sondern auch der voller Taten, für die Liebe einzustehen. Wo die Unterschiede so groß sind, überwältigen die Taten, füreinander einzustehen.
Man verfällt dem beschützenden, fürsorglichen, aber auch sehr einnehmenden Ork, der mit jedem weiteren Verlauf endlich erkennt, dass er würdig für Liebe, für Jasmine ist.
Wie ihr merkt, habe ich das Werk genossen, war verstrickt, wurde wieder perfekt unterhalten, verführt und werde sehnsuchtsvoll zum nächsten berauschenden Werk greifen.
Der nächste Band, voller Gefahren, Krieg und dem Versuch zu überleben.
Jasmine hat nur abseits die Gefahren kennengelernt, verschleppt, und als Leibeigene hat sie im sicheren Umfeld immer um andere gesorgt.
Jetzt wird sie zum Freiwild und muss sich einen Beschützer suchen.
Ihr Schicksal führt sie zu Doug, dem stummen Halb-Ork, der sie beschützt und nichts fordert.
Schnell wird klar, dass sie seine Gefährtin sein soll, jedoch nie ganz beansprucht werden kann.
Berauschende Verstrickungen ziehen uns sofort in das vereinnahmte Lesevergnügen.
Doug ist als Stummer erstaunlich, weiß, wie er Jasmine für sich gewinnen kann.
Seine Absichten werden in fürsorglichen, beschützenden Taten bewusst.
Schnell wird bewusst, dass diese in berauschender Zweisamkeit enden, doch die Liebe immer bewusster zum Vorschein kommt.
Seid gewiss, ihr werdet begeistert sein, nicht nur von Jasmine überrascht.
Denn der Spice, sondern auch das Gewinnen für sich, das Beanspruchen, verstrickt.
Herausstechend auch die aktionsgeladenen, sehr brutalen Begebenheiten lassen nicht nur die Emotionen, sondern auch die Nerven übersprudeln.
Besonders wenn die Storyline von den vorherigen Bänden weitergeführt wird, wird man erstaunt und von altgeliebten Charakteren beeindruckt.
Eine tolle Mischung wird uns wieder geboten, die mich in den Bann gezogen hat.
Ein ergreifendes, emotionales als auch spicy, verführerisches Werk, das mich berauscht und in der Geschichte vollkommen eingenommen hat.
Der spannungsgeladene Teil überrascht und lässt nicht mehr los.
Hier ist nicht nur der beherrschende und verführende Teil, der hier hitzig und explosiv ist, sondern auch der voller Taten, für die Liebe einzustehen. Wo die Unterschiede so groß sind, überwältigen die Taten, füreinander einzustehen.
Man verfällt dem beschützenden, fürsorglichen, aber auch sehr einnehmenden Ork, der mit jedem weiteren Verlauf endlich erkennt, dass er würdig für Liebe, für Jasmine ist.
Wie ihr merkt, habe ich das Werk genossen, war verstrickt, wurde wieder perfekt unterhalten, verführt und werde sehnsuchtsvoll zum nächsten berauschenden Werk greifen.
November 11, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot - 3/5
Characters - 3/5
Spice - 🌶️🌶️
Gentling the Beast follows our white half-orc/half-were mute MMC as he bonds and mates with human, Jasmine, as she is essentially sold off to be a slave tasked with caring for a fairy-child. Jasmine and Doug's romance was a highlight of this book, with their interactions in danger of giving you a sweet tooth with how adorable they are.
Doug for one, believes nobody would dare love him and really struggles throughout the novel with acknowledging that Jasmine feels sexual desire for him. That's not to say the book isn't littered with orgasm inducing scenes (Jasmine is a lucky girl, the things Doug does with that tongue, my gosh).
Unfortunately, this book does fall down on the plot side of things. Around the 70% mark, Doug and Jasmine get involved in a sort of uprising with a shifter pack and we then skip 1 year into the future from there. The conflict is barely present and we don't get the sense of urgency due to the scene skipping and off hand comments from other characters in the novel regarding where they are or their safety. There is also a scene about 80% in where almost all the side characters just kind of go 'well, we're going to leave now' and they aren't mentioned again. It is such a shame because the character arcs and romance from Doug and Jasmine would well and truly warrant a 4 or 5 star read if the plot were stronger.
Plot - 3/5
Characters - 3/5
Spice - 🌶️🌶️
Gentling the Beast follows our white half-orc/half-were mute MMC as he bonds and mates with human, Jasmine, as she is essentially sold off to be a slave tasked with caring for a fairy-child. Jasmine and Doug's romance was a highlight of this book, with their interactions in danger of giving you a sweet tooth with how adorable they are.
Doug for one, believes nobody would dare love him and really struggles throughout the novel with acknowledging that Jasmine feels sexual desire for him. That's not to say the book isn't littered with orgasm inducing scenes (Jasmine is a lucky girl, the things Doug does with that tongue, my gosh).
Unfortunately, this book does fall down on the plot side of things. Around the 70% mark, Doug and Jasmine get involved in a sort of uprising with a shifter pack and we then skip 1 year into the future from there. The conflict is barely present and we don't get the sense of urgency due to the scene skipping and off hand comments from other characters in the novel regarding where they are or their safety. There is also a scene about 80% in where almost all the side characters just kind of go 'well, we're going to leave now' and they aren't mentioned again. It is such a shame because the character arcs and romance from Doug and Jasmine would well and truly warrant a 4 or 5 star read if the plot were stronger.
March 13, 2025
DNF at 24%
This was insta-lust and there is absolutely no development. Doug saves Jasmine when a human soldier is trying to force himself on her and after that she starts to think that maybe he would be a good mate to her (since she’s being forced to choose one), which is understandable. However, then there are two scenes of him getting her off and that’s it, their “relationship” is established and they care for each other.
After that the book skips to Jasmine being introduced to Melody (her charge) and again skips to when they all already know each other and have an established routine.
Another thing that just was with no development was Penny (another bondservant) who is instantly close to and protective of Jasmine. The scene that bothered me the most was when the bears attack and Penny pleads Doug to go after Jasmine. It felt like she just met Jasmine (although that could have been because their time knowing each other is skipped) and yet she’s going not only to an orc, but also to one of the scarier ones and asking something of him.
I really didn’t like how everything felt skipped over.
This was insta-lust and there is absolutely no development. Doug saves Jasmine when a human soldier is trying to force himself on her and after that she starts to think that maybe he would be a good mate to her (since she’s being forced to choose one), which is understandable. However, then there are two scenes of him getting her off and that’s it, their “relationship” is established and they care for each other.
After that the book skips to Jasmine being introduced to Melody (her charge) and again skips to when they all already know each other and have an established routine.
Another thing that just was with no development was Penny (another bondservant) who is instantly close to and protective of Jasmine. The scene that bothered me the most was when the bears attack and Penny pleads Doug to go after Jasmine. It felt like she just met Jasmine (although that could have been because their time knowing each other is skipped) and yet she’s going not only to an orc, but also to one of the scarier ones and asking something of him.
I really didn’t like how everything felt skipped over.
December 27, 2024
Coup de coeur !
Je ne connaissais pas cette auteure. Je l'ai découvert grâce à une publication Facebook d'un groupe lecture.
Il avait reçu de très bonnes critiques et je vous assure qu'elles sont plus que méritées!
Ce n'est pas le conte de la belle et la bête réinventé.
C'est une histoire unique et originale dans un monde fantastique à part entière avec des personnages très bien élaborés.
C'est un monde de type médiévale, tout en Chaos, avec ses guerres de pouvoir où certaines races dominent les autres par la force et la violence.
Dans cet univers sombre où on retrouve plusieurs personnages de races différentes, certains aux coeurs nobles rêvent d'un monde meilleur.
Il y a beaucoup d'action, d'émotions et de revirements de situations. Il y a des combats et de la violence, mais il y a aussi de belles histoires d'amitié et d'amour.
Ce livre est parcontre réservé aux adultes car il y a des scènes de sexualité explicites.
J'ai eu un véritable coup de coeur pour Doug, Jasmine et tous leurs amis.
Je ne connaissais pas cette auteure. Je l'ai découvert grâce à une publication Facebook d'un groupe lecture.
Il avait reçu de très bonnes critiques et je vous assure qu'elles sont plus que méritées!
Ce n'est pas le conte de la belle et la bête réinventé.
C'est une histoire unique et originale dans un monde fantastique à part entière avec des personnages très bien élaborés.
C'est un monde de type médiévale, tout en Chaos, avec ses guerres de pouvoir où certaines races dominent les autres par la force et la violence.
Dans cet univers sombre où on retrouve plusieurs personnages de races différentes, certains aux coeurs nobles rêvent d'un monde meilleur.
Il y a beaucoup d'action, d'émotions et de revirements de situations. Il y a des combats et de la violence, mais il y a aussi de belles histoires d'amitié et d'amour.
Ce livre est parcontre réservé aux adultes car il y a des scènes de sexualité explicites.
J'ai eu un véritable coup de coeur pour Doug, Jasmine et tous leurs amis.
February 27, 2025
4.5⭐️ THIS HAD NO BUSINESS BEING THIS GOOD - oh lord i didn’t want to put this down. i was giggling and kicking my feet like some middle schooler OVER AN ORC SHIFTER. now when i tell you i found out Doug was both - i jumped out of my bed and did a flip (not rlly, but you get the point). Doug was also so, i cant think of another word other than perfect. Doug and Jasmine deserve nothing but the best and the joy i felt at the end for them about burst my heart out of my chest. IDK WHAT IT IS WITH ORC BOOKS BUT THEY GET ME EVERY TIME. it truly is an acquired taste
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