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Pine Ridge Universe
The Orc's Second Shot at Love
When Georgia Fenclan hits thirty, the Type-A barista-slash-businesswoman hopes she’s done being the bridesmaid and never the bride. The Half-Orc blonde bombshell is ready to meet someone who will woo her, win her, bed her, and wed her—but the right man doesn’t seem to exist in cozy paranormal Pine Ridge.
At least, that’s what she thinks until a tall green hunk of gentlemanly goodness strolls into her coffee shop and quite literally takes her breath away.
Widower Douglas Wickstaff flies in from Scotland to attend a wedding in Pine Ridge out of familial duty. The last thing he wants to do is watch a happy couple tie the knot after he had to watch his own married life unravel. When he meets Georgia Fenclan, his dormant instincts awaken, and his cold heart starts to thaw under her sunny smile and no-nonsense humor. But Douglas knows he can’t be her Mr. Right. Life has taught him that where love is concerned, he’ll always be Mr. Wrong. To guard both of their hearts, Douglas is determined to hightail it back to the Highlands.
But Douglas should know his life never goes according to plan. He’s barely had time to unpack before his job unexpectedly transfers him to New York. What once seemed like a welcome escape from his painful past is suddenly a trap. How can he resist falling in love with the one woman who makes him forget his loneliness? On the other hand, how can he be selfish enough to indulge his desires when he believes Georgia can do so much better than a quiet, taciturn man like him?
As Douglas tries to put distance between them, will Georgia be able to help this wounded widower see that he deserves a second shot at love?
The Orc's Second Shot at Love is a steamy stand alone novel in the Pine Ridge universe.
At least, that’s what she thinks until a tall green hunk of gentlemanly goodness strolls into her coffee shop and quite literally takes her breath away.
Widower Douglas Wickstaff flies in from Scotland to attend a wedding in Pine Ridge out of familial duty. The last thing he wants to do is watch a happy couple tie the knot after he had to watch his own married life unravel. When he meets Georgia Fenclan, his dormant instincts awaken, and his cold heart starts to thaw under her sunny smile and no-nonsense humor. But Douglas knows he can’t be her Mr. Right. Life has taught him that where love is concerned, he’ll always be Mr. Wrong. To guard both of their hearts, Douglas is determined to hightail it back to the Highlands.
But Douglas should know his life never goes according to plan. He’s barely had time to unpack before his job unexpectedly transfers him to New York. What once seemed like a welcome escape from his painful past is suddenly a trap. How can he resist falling in love with the one woman who makes him forget his loneliness? On the other hand, how can he be selfish enough to indulge his desires when he believes Georgia can do so much better than a quiet, taciturn man like him?
As Douglas tries to put distance between them, will Georgia be able to help this wounded widower see that he deserves a second shot at love?
The Orc's Second Shot at Love is a steamy stand alone novel in the Pine Ridge universe.
354 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 21, 2024
38 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
About the author
S.C. Principale
93 books133 followersAuthor of romance with bite.
Especially fond of monster and paranormal romance, but she'll write some all-human romances, too!
Especially fond of monster and paranormal romance, but she'll write some all-human romances, too!
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
did-not-finish
September 29, 2024DNF 54%
Honestly, it's not bad by any means, it's just so glacially paced that I just don't care to continue. Plus good ole Dougie is constantly comparing his relationship with Georgia to his dead wife and how he didn't love her the way he loves Georgia, and it was a bit weird.
Honestly, it's not bad by any means, it's just so glacially paced that I just don't care to continue. Plus good ole Dougie is constantly comparing his relationship with Georgia to his dead wife and how he didn't love her the way he loves Georgia, and it was a bit weird.
September 14, 2024
Cozy and spicy with an older Scottish Orc? SOLD. GIMME. This was SO good. All the cozy vibes, some hurt, spice and tension for days! Georgia is such a fun FMC. I love her. Douglas is everything you want in your orc age gap fantasies. YUM YUM YUM. I love coming back to Pine Ridge with every book. S.C. Principale writes such cozy monster romances that don't skimp on the heat. Did I mention there's great spice? Another amazing read!
*pre release review
*pre release review
November 6, 2025
Scottish Orc and the half orc bakery owner
This was a more emotional book than I originally expected it to be. He's a widowed orc accountant who blames himself for his failed marriage and his wife's death. He also struggles with the idea that he's allowed to be happy or have a second chance.
He meets Georgia, the front of house worker at her family bakery, fairly early in the book. Georgia is smitten with the older orc on sight but he resists due to his guilt and baggage.
Slowly, they work through issues and it's a slow burn that heats up all the sudden when they get to that part with several spice scenes in a row after they get there. So maybe 3.5-4 in spice scale with some primal chasing and growling thrown in and knotting.
There's a lot of Scottish words like ye and bairn that I thought gave a cute and extra flourish to the book. It's cute yet serious and hard to pin down a correct audience for. But I really enjoyed it and will continue the Pine Ridge Universe (even though I didn't do it in order lol).
This book stands alone with a HEA for the couple yet we also see a lot of side cast that seem to be town folk and would probably be better read in order.
Read whatever makes you happy! And then tell me about it lol.
This was a more emotional book than I originally expected it to be. He's a widowed orc accountant who blames himself for his failed marriage and his wife's death. He also struggles with the idea that he's allowed to be happy or have a second chance.
He meets Georgia, the front of house worker at her family bakery, fairly early in the book. Georgia is smitten with the older orc on sight but he resists due to his guilt and baggage.
Slowly, they work through issues and it's a slow burn that heats up all the sudden when they get to that part with several spice scenes in a row after they get there. So maybe 3.5-4 in spice scale with some primal chasing and growling thrown in and knotting.
There's a lot of Scottish words like ye and bairn that I thought gave a cute and extra flourish to the book. It's cute yet serious and hard to pin down a correct audience for. But I really enjoyed it and will continue the Pine Ridge Universe (even though I didn't do it in order lol).
This book stands alone with a HEA for the couple yet we also see a lot of side cast that seem to be town folk and would probably be better read in order.
Read whatever makes you happy! And then tell me about it lol.
September 4, 2024
I’d like to sprinkle her with sugar and lick it off, feeling her soft skin under the crystals as my tongue marks every inch of her, finding the hidden pieces of her that make her whimper my name and beg me to fill her. -Cue pour some sugar on me
Such a cozy read with great humor between the two mains. This book gives you all the gushy feels and the characters know what they want and go for it. While Douglas has some hurts to work through the romantic in him still comes out strong. To top it off with whip cream of course there’s the ever loving Scottish brogue! I swear I told Georgia to just hand him a smutty book and tell him to read it to her like 5 times 😂 *sighs dramatically one can dream!
“I would marry you just for your voice. I admit that I’m shallow,” (me too girl me too)
Such a cozy read with great humor between the two mains. This book gives you all the gushy feels and the characters know what they want and go for it. While Douglas has some hurts to work through the romantic in him still comes out strong. To top it off with whip cream of course there’s the ever loving Scottish brogue! I swear I told Georgia to just hand him a smutty book and tell him to read it to her like 5 times 😂 *sighs dramatically one can dream!
“I would marry you just for your voice. I admit that I’m shallow,” (me too girl me too)
September 22, 2024
Totally swept away by this story ❤️❤️ Everyone in Pine Ridge is amazing and you really feel like you are a part of the town as you read through the series. I could never pick a favorite, but this one is up there. My heart was so invested in Douglas and Georgia! The emotional journey they go on together is so touching and will get you right in the feels. The physical journey they go on together is nothing to turn your nose up at either, lol. It's definitely a story that has it all and will leave you with a happy heart and looking forward to the next Pine Ridge story.
September 21, 2024
Loved the characters and this world. The grumpy/ sunshine trips was so sweet and I adored this cozy romance
September 21, 2024
Gleeful Goblin Review: Typically age gap style stories aren't my thing but I adore this author and I'm not gonna miss out on tales from this universe for anything. AND I'M SO GLAD I DIDN'T MISS OUT HERE. This story is as sweet as any baked goods sold in Georgia's shop and twice as good for lifting your mood. Georgia is a half Orc who looks mostly human but is mostly at peace walking in both worlds which was a refreshing change from a more typical "I don't fit in anywhere" feel. I connected with her when it comes to things like not being one for casual flings or feeling a sense of duty to put on a brave face for people we care about even if we're hurting, but I tell you what, her response to why she is so captivated by wanting to be with an Orc almost brought me to tears it was so sweet and so relatable: “Why an Orc? There are a dozen interspecies couples here. It seems your town and your family are accepting.” Georgia stares at me, blue eyes that are brighter than the dark, shimmering material of her dress seem to swallow me whole without even trying. “Not that I need to justify it to anyone, but I’m Half-Orc, despite my outside appearance. I grew up watching an Orc husband and father treat his wife like a queen. I mean that in the way that a knight is loyal to his queen and knows she can rule the world with the right tools—but also spoils her and pampers with love and attention, lives to make her happy. My mother treated my father the same. Their bond was—is—beautiful. I see it in other Orc men. The way my brother has changed for Claire... Oh, he was a good guy before, don’t get me wrong. But now? He’s happily devoted. There’s a part of him that was always lonely and angry before. It’s gone now. It’s mutual. Whatever empty spots Claire had in her heart are filled up because of Georgie.”
And speaking of characters who almost bring you to tears, our poor mournful curmudgeon Douglas. His sense of duty, responsibility, and feeling like he failed as a husband will not let him get out of his own way for the longest time! It doesn't help that even though he's younger than Georgia's father that they're friends so there's that outside assumption of incompatibly by most everyone. BUT THEY ARE SO VERY COMPATIBLE Y'ALL. And holy wow, when things get steamy it is like enough to fill an entire Roman bath house worth and still have leftovers. Steamy but so very full of heart and soul which is an unbelievable combination that I can't recommend highly enough. Do yourself a favor and dive into this book face first. 5/5 Stars
And speaking of characters who almost bring you to tears, our poor mournful curmudgeon Douglas. His sense of duty, responsibility, and feeling like he failed as a husband will not let him get out of his own way for the longest time! It doesn't help that even though he's younger than Georgia's father that they're friends so there's that outside assumption of incompatibly by most everyone. BUT THEY ARE SO VERY COMPATIBLE Y'ALL. And holy wow, when things get steamy it is like enough to fill an entire Roman bath house worth and still have leftovers. Steamy but so very full of heart and soul which is an unbelievable combination that I can't recommend highly enough. Do yourself a favor and dive into this book face first. 5/5 Stars
November 5, 2024
I got a free advanced reader's copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was such a super cute slow burn romance!! While the romance is slow, once it gets spicy it burns red HOT!! It was fascinating having a main character who is the product of a trans-species relationship - that dynamic is so rarely explored! So we get to see an outward-looking human woman still having the wants and desires from her orc-ish background. I also loved seeing the male main character go through his process of grief and becoming vulnerable to love again. It is super sweet and I think a lot of readers will find his journey relatable.
The only nitpicky thing that prevented me from giving this book a five-star rating is all the random asides the characters have, expressed in parentheses. These just confused me because we are already reading from the characters' POV so we are already in their head and know what they are thinking. It is like watching Hamlet perform a soliloquy and the stage directions.
This was such a super cute slow burn romance!! While the romance is slow, once it gets spicy it burns red HOT!! It was fascinating having a main character who is the product of a trans-species relationship - that dynamic is so rarely explored! So we get to see an outward-looking human woman still having the wants and desires from her orc-ish background. I also loved seeing the male main character go through his process of grief and becoming vulnerable to love again. It is super sweet and I think a lot of readers will find his journey relatable.
The only nitpicky thing that prevented me from giving this book a five-star rating is all the random asides the characters have, expressed in parentheses. These just confused me because we are already reading from the characters' POV so we are already in their head and know what they are thinking. It is like watching Hamlet perform a soliloquy and the stage directions.
May 20, 2025
I love how S.C Princpale writes and her Pine Ridge Universe is full of the cozy, small town monster vibes and I am here for them! Georgia was a powerhouse. I loved how she was willing to be honest about what she wants, both to herself and to Douglas. She was strong, stubborn, knew what she wanted, and was willing to take the risks to get her HEA. And Douglas? Oh he definitely pulled at my heartstrings. He took so much blame upon himself for his last marriage and I loved getting to see him start the healing process here. But he also had his insecurities now and I love how they weren’t brushed off and instantly made better because of Georgia. They both worked on helping him feel more secure and connected. It was a beautiful love story about two imperfect people. And the spicy scenes were so good! Loved it!
September 9, 2025
It was slow to get into...
I liked the story and the others that were involved, but it was a little hard to get into. There are several misspellings and inconsistencies. I had to go back and reread to m make sure I was reading things correctly.
I got the general gist of the story.
Douglas needed therapy for his survivors guilt.
I was hoping she would get pregnant in this story.
The books are not listed in an order, but the books give away details of books I haven't read yet.
I liked the story and the others that were involved, but it was a little hard to get into. There are several misspellings and inconsistencies. I had to go back and reread to m make sure I was reading things correctly.
I got the general gist of the story.
Douglas needed therapy for his survivors guilt.
I was hoping she would get pregnant in this story.
The books are not listed in an order, but the books give away details of books I haven't read yet.
September 18, 2024
Perfectly safe, cozy and warm story.
🔸️The romance has lovely and cute build up. Georgia is delightfuly vibrant half Orc lady, while Douglas is a solitary, stoic, grumpy Highlander sweetheart.
🔸️I loved that both characters are older (she is 30, he is 43) and how gentle and thoughtful their communication is.
🔸️The spice is definitely juicy (and very consensual), with lots of teasing. The story includes beautiful and joyful primal chase scene. 🤩😍
🔸️Relaxing, no- stress, low angst reading.
🔸️The romance has lovely and cute build up. Georgia is delightfuly vibrant half Orc lady, while Douglas is a solitary, stoic, grumpy Highlander sweetheart.
🔸️I loved that both characters are older (she is 30, he is 43) and how gentle and thoughtful their communication is.
🔸️The spice is definitely juicy (and very consensual), with lots of teasing. The story includes beautiful and joyful primal chase scene. 🤩😍
🔸️Relaxing, no- stress, low angst reading.
September 22, 2024
I absolutely loved this one. So cozy and just low drama.
Georgia is half-orc and works at her and her brother’s cafe/coffee shop/caterer in a small supernatural town. She meets Douglas at her brother’s wedding and sparks fly. This is a very sex driven story, with lots of knotting and a fast timeline. The only thing that really threw me off was Georgie was the brother, but maybe that’s just a Scottish thing that went over my head.
Thanks so much to the author for the arc!
Georgia is half-orc and works at her and her brother’s cafe/coffee shop/caterer in a small supernatural town. She meets Douglas at her brother’s wedding and sparks fly. This is a very sex driven story, with lots of knotting and a fast timeline. The only thing that really threw me off was Georgie was the brother, but maybe that’s just a Scottish thing that went over my head.
Thanks so much to the author for the arc!
September 23, 2024
Cute, Cozy, and Spicy 💚
This was such a cute and cozy read! I finished in one sitting. This was the first book I’ve read by this author and I honestly don’t think it will be my last. Despite being cute and cozy this book has some spice! I won’t say much more because I would hate to ruin it for others, but I highly suggest reading this, I look forward to reading more from this author!
This was such a cute and cozy read! I finished in one sitting. This was the first book I’ve read by this author and I honestly don’t think it will be my last. Despite being cute and cozy this book has some spice! I won’t say much more because I would hate to ruin it for others, but I highly suggest reading this, I look forward to reading more from this author!
September 8, 2025
Sweet and steamy monster romance
Another perfect sweet and steamy, low angst read from Principale. Principale can be counted on for solid writing, multidimensional characters, superb interpersonal relationships, cute and humorous dialogue, and overall entertaining reads. These shorter reads are primarily focused on interpersonal relationships more than intricately twisting plot and politics.
I highly recommend anything by this talented author.
Another perfect sweet and steamy, low angst read from Principale. Principale can be counted on for solid writing, multidimensional characters, superb interpersonal relationships, cute and humorous dialogue, and overall entertaining reads. These shorter reads are primarily focused on interpersonal relationships more than intricately twisting plot and politics.
I highly recommend anything by this talented author.
September 7, 2024
I absolutely adored this book. Sometimes you just need a cute and smutty monster romance and this book delivered!
Georgia and Douglas were just perfect for each other. My heart broke a few times hearing Douglas’ backstory, but the author clearly created the perfect woman for him in Georgia. This was such a feel good monster romance. It made my monster loving heart happy!
Georgia and Douglas were just perfect for each other. My heart broke a few times hearing Douglas’ backstory, but the author clearly created the perfect woman for him in Georgia. This was such a feel good monster romance. It made my monster loving heart happy!
September 25, 2024
One of my favorites from this series! Been waiting for Georgia's story a while now and it did not disappoint. These two just felt right. I loved all their interactions especially their work from home situation ha ha ha iykyk. I loved that while there was a technical age gap she was in her 30's and very sure of what she wanted and what she would accept in her life as others were kinda telling her to "settle." Enough angst to feel real but not overly angsty. If you love small town, great side characters, hot kilt wearing orcs and a confident bad*ass heroine this is for you!
September 24, 2024
Such a sweet story!
I really enjoyed this story. I loved the fact that they weren’t so young. I had a really nice time ready this cozy romance. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
I really enjoyed this story. I loved the fact that they weren’t so young. I had a really nice time ready this cozy romance. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
May 14, 2025
So sweet
This is the sweet story of true love that they fight against. S c principle has done it again, Brought love 22 monsters that deserve it. I could not put this book down from start to finish. Can't wait.
To see what she comes up with next
This is the sweet story of true love that they fight against. S c principle has done it again, Brought love 22 monsters that deserve it. I could not put this book down from start to finish. Can't wait.
To see what she comes up with next
Read
December 10, 2024DNF @18%
December 22, 2024
I'm so happy for them!
So full of heart and heat! Spicy and sweet in equal measure. Characters you can't help but love and cheer for through all their ups and down.
So full of heart and heat! Spicy and sweet in equal measure. Characters you can't help but love and cheer for through all their ups and down.
August 10, 2025
Heads up...extra spicy (4.5 chillies)
November 13, 2025
this was so cuuuuteee! Georgia and Douglas are so, so sweet together and I'm so happy they both get the lives they deserve!
January 6, 2025
It was ok. I didn't finish it. He talked about his dead wife a lot.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews