The Orc from the Bar

by Lizzie Strong

What happens when an Orc and a Wizard meet up at a bar?

Alice has made it. She's a real, licensed wizard now. Gotten the job, gotten the office, proven him wrong! Now what? Well... for starters, maybe just a round of drinks.

Tyr won his first case. The Orc lawyer who made himself into something, his mother would be proud. After letting his boss talk him into going out for drinks, he runs into the dark clad, smokey eyed, tattooed wizard Alice. She's funny, smart, wickedly flirty, and bold, everything he wants.

Is this just a one night stand? Can he become more than just the Orc from the bar?

Genres: Monster Romance, Magic, Fantasy Romance

139 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 31, 2024

About the author

Lizzie Strong is A Monster Romance Author, where the monsters are spooky scary, and the romance is cute and cuddly. Queer Representation, Smink ;) friendly, consent heavy. A Florida swamp gremlin masquerading as a functioning human and author. The DM for a D&D podcast, previous retail and restaurant manager, constant worry wort, and romantic, Lizzie is always in between a brilliant idea and a dumb one. Inclusive books with magical nonsense, filled with monsters (you may or may not love) and mayhem. Find out more about her, the books coming out, and her nonsense at lizziestrongauthor.com

Reviews

[spidermse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute orc romance! Lots of spice, a confident and intelligent FMC, cinnamon roll MMC who cooks (swoon!), and hilarious banter. I really enjoy Lizzie's writing and humor and this one was no exception. It's just a goofy, spicy story about two people finding each other and falling in love. Exactly what I needed to read right now.

I also really related to Tyr's anxiety. "Because if you expect the worst, then you can’t be disappointed when it happens." That's what I say to my partner all the time. 😆

[Poppy || Monster Lover · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute novella with a confident FMC and shy MMC. Both characters were mid-plus sized, and is always a plus (get it?). The book was about 40-50% smut and had all the cozy vibes. Tyr was adorbs and I wanna keep him. The casual mention of both characters being pansexual was awesome. It was a nice little palate cleanser after some darker books.

Spice: 5/5

Triggers: emotional abuse, addiction (off page)

[Kelspar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this! I think I read the whole thing with a grin on my face. It's just so nice, and enjoyable, to read a story where two people (except one is an orc and one is a wizard) find true love. I had a lot of fun.

Spectacular pacing. I absolutely love when novellas don't try to cram a whole story inside. This only spans a couple days, but you're there every moment. I felt like you truly got to know the characters, it was so refreshing. A light hearted story of a bar pick-up that transforms into a super sweet relationship. It just really delivered and was written well. Definitely recommend if you're in that light hearted novella mood!

small note: it is a stand alone but a better sense of the world comes from the longer length books.

[Babes Books and Brews · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s official. I don’t know what it is - the characters, the story, the banter, the vibes, EVERY DAMN THING - but if Lizzie puts it out, I want to read it. For me, when I read her books, it always feels like I’m sliding into a long over-due chat with friends, filled with laughs and tears. I loved all of it. The story between Alice and Tyr felt so natural, and it was adorable to watch these two become so entwined in each other’s lives.

Alice is a badass wizard who set out to prove her family wrong (and CRUSHED IT). Tyr is an orc and lawyer that just won his first legal case. Both are workaholics that have put relationships, friends, and family to the side to get to where they are. And both decide to go out and celebrate that night.

I’m absolutely in love with Alice and her confidence! The way she maneuvers Tyr from the bar to somewhere more comfortable… She says what she wants, no hesitation. And Tyr, the sweet orc, is more than happy to deliver. The insane amount of spice between these two - I want to type it all out but I also want you to experience the heat in all its multiple forms of glory. It’s just f*cking hot. And when Alice takes control? PERFECTION.

Okay, besides the spice, I was really wrapped up in what was happening between Alice and her estranged family. This storyline tugged at my heart and I adored the way Tyr comforted her but also gave her the space to do what she needed to do to get that closure. Also, one of my absolute favorite things in a book is chaotic family/sibling moments which we get when Alice meets Tyr’s siblings. So f*cking cute!!

This was such a fun, sweet, and HOT read!!

[Caity · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short and sweet novella. Lots of spice! I enjoyed how uncomplicated the relationship between the MCs was. The drama in the book only strengthens their relationship. There was no weird miscommunication or anything like that. Tyr is such a big sweetheart, and I appreciate that he wasn't unrealistic. He has insecurities and is trying to do well at work and in his new relationship with his naughty wizard. Alice was great, and in the end, seeing her stand up for herself made me happy.

It's a sweet story, and I enjoyed that it had a lot of spice and little to no drama.

[Kianna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately, this was not my favorite book by this author. I will say that some of the things I liked in this book were: a man who isnt afraid to love his woman, the queerness within, Tyr's family/their banter/their dynamic, and how much the main duo genuinely liked each other.

I wont go into the things I didnt like as much but I will say that a bit more detail/tightening up of the sentences, another editor, and it being made into a longer book would've probably fixed the things I had issues with.

[Coolkidfrances · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, Sweet and Adorable

I love everything by Lizzie Strong. This one was short, Sweet and Adorable. Who wouldn't love their own orc from the bar

[BigGirlBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so stinkin cute. A witch babe and an orc lawyer meet in a bar....

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This fun, cozy novella is set in the King’s Fall universe and can be read as a standalone in any order without spoilers.

There’s not a ton of plot, just a cute goth wizard FMC and a hunky orc lawyer MMC getting to know each other. Some conflict arises with the FMC’s family, but overall, this is a feel-good orc romance that’s short, sweet, and super spicy. It’s easily readable in one sitting.

Another delightful slice of romance from King’s Fall!

Spice: 4.5/5
Plot: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
My Enjoyment: 4/5

Series in publication order:
Knight&Mage Inc. 8/2/22
The Kattos Waitress 9/1/22
Hauntings&Company 10/31/22
The Bugbears Heiress 11/15/22
Nymph on the Rocks 12/1/22
The Dragos Assistant 2/14/23
Two Kattos and their Barista 6/1/23
A Fowl Company 8/1/23
How to Marry a Lich 2/23/24
The Orc from the Bar 3/1/24
Cloak&Dagger Burlesque 6/24/24
Jockstraps&Newspapers 9/1/24
A Deal with the Devil 2/3/25

[Cyn's Bookshelves · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a sweet, cozy, sexy romp.
Lizzie Strong plays fast and loose with punctuation, spelling, and syntax. If this bothers you, don't even bother reading, it will drive you nuts.