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Monstrous World #2
Ironling: Monstrous World, Book 2
A lady heir in a world of lords…
Aislinn Darrow was never meant to be her father's heir, but that was before her selfish brother condemned himself. Now, she must give up her old life to take his place. She should be presiding in her father's council chamber and serving the people of the Darrowlands—yet time and again, she finds herself straying to the castle smithy to visit the handsome new blacksmith manning the forge.
A lady can never claim a monster…
Hakon has known all his life that his place is in the background. At least at his forge, he can be of use and demonstrate his skills. The life of a halfling is one of halves and pieces, never quite to belong. When he hears of a place that welcomes halflings, he determines to build a new life for himself in the Darrowlands. It is a bittersweet fate to find everything he could ever want there, in a woman he can never have. He knows his green, sooty hands don't deserve to touch her, but Hakon cannot resist tempting Lady Aislinn back to him, nor indulging in the fantasy of claiming her as his own.
But in a world of lords and politics, a lady such as Aislinn could never truly take a halfling like him to mate and wed—especially when her position as a woman lord and usurper leaves her and her people vulnerable. When grasping lords threaten the Darrowlands, prepared to take Aislinn's hand and land through marriage or force, she must choose—the halfling who loves her or the people who need her.
Fans of Grace Draven, Ruby Dixon, and SJM will love this fluffy, steamy monster romance story! Contains mature content. A complete list of content warnings can be found on the author's website.
Book two stands on its own but will best be enjoyed after Halfling.
Aislinn Darrow was never meant to be her father's heir, but that was before her selfish brother condemned himself. Now, she must give up her old life to take his place. She should be presiding in her father's council chamber and serving the people of the Darrowlands—yet time and again, she finds herself straying to the castle smithy to visit the handsome new blacksmith manning the forge.
A lady can never claim a monster…
Hakon has known all his life that his place is in the background. At least at his forge, he can be of use and demonstrate his skills. The life of a halfling is one of halves and pieces, never quite to belong. When he hears of a place that welcomes halflings, he determines to build a new life for himself in the Darrowlands. It is a bittersweet fate to find everything he could ever want there, in a woman he can never have. He knows his green, sooty hands don't deserve to touch her, but Hakon cannot resist tempting Lady Aislinn back to him, nor indulging in the fantasy of claiming her as his own.
But in a world of lords and politics, a lady such as Aislinn could never truly take a halfling like him to mate and wed—especially when her position as a woman lord and usurper leaves her and her people vulnerable. When grasping lords threaten the Darrowlands, prepared to take Aislinn's hand and land through marriage or force, she must choose—the halfling who loves her or the people who need her.
Fans of Grace Draven, Ruby Dixon, and SJM will love this fluffy, steamy monster romance story! Contains mature content. A complete list of content warnings can be found on the author's website.
Book two stands on its own but will best be enjoyed after Halfling.
Audible Audio
Published March 4, 2025
622 people are currently reading
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About the author
S.E. Wendel
22 books795 followersS.E. Wendel is a graduate of the MA Creative Writing program at the University of California, Davis. She loves maps, magic, and making epic fantasy worlds with romance thrown in. She has been writing fantasies since before she could even type (thankfully her mother was kind and patient enough to take dictation, but is relieved she can type for herself now)! From her first stories about raccoons hunting treasure on a haunted island to her latest sweeping epics, she loves to write strong heroines and noble heroes.
S.E. is a technical editor by day and in the evening loves to lose herself in her fantasy worlds and the stories of other amazing authors. She is currently working on the second part of the Broken Wings Duet. She loves her domineering orange tabby cat, true crime docs, tiramisu, pink nail polish, and swoony romantasies!
S.E. is a technical editor by day and in the evening loves to lose herself in her fantasy worlds and the stories of other amazing authors. She is currently working on the second part of the Broken Wings Duet. She loves her domineering orange tabby cat, true crime docs, tiramisu, pink nail polish, and swoony romantasies!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 297 reviews
September 3, 2025
3 ⭐️ A sweet and sexy addition in the Monstrous World series
He held the whole world in his hand, and he wouldn't be foolish enough to let it go. She was everything to him, the axis around which his world spun, his guiding star.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
✨ fantasy monster romance
✨ he’s a half orc blacksmith
✨ she’s a human heiress
✨ neurodivergent FMC
✨ hearing impaired MMC
✨ friends to lovers
✨ denial of feelings
✨ he falls first and hard
✨ slow burn
✨ forbidden romance
✨ 3.5/5 🌶️ (open door and explicit)
✨ size difference
✨ mate bond
✨ political intrigue
✨ family drama
✨ high(ish) stakes
✨ found family
✨ HEA
✨ TW: panic attacks, emotional abuse from caretaker,
My Thoughts:
First off, this story has much more world building. I enjoyed getting to learn about this realm's politics and being introduced to other creatures. The main focus of this story is split between the romance and political intrigue, so it has higher stakes and more drama.
I absolutely adored Halfling. The MCs were so sweet and perfect together, the romance was equal parts cute and sexy, and I just loved the entire vibe of the story. While Ironling does a really great job expanding on the world through politics and introducing more creatures, the MCs and their romance didn't hit the spot.
Aislinn and Hakon are both interesting characters that had traumas/struggles that they overcame throughout the book. I do like them, I just didn't love them like the MCs from Halfling. I know it's probably not fair to compare, but I love Sorcha and Orek with all my heart and just had high expectations for these characters.
I didn't know if I truly believed Hakon’s reason for denying his feelings, and I didn't like how Aislinn was a pushover. These things wouldn't have bothered me so much if they weren't the main source of emotional conflict in the story. It was pretty repetitive and after a while I just wanted to scream at them to get their shit together. But seriously, why on earth would Aislinn keep making excuses for/forgiving people in her life who never treat her well i.e. her father, brother, and Brenna? Maybe I can't fathom her response because I would never be such a pushover but it was infuriating to read about.
Another thing that irked me were all the time jumps. One or two jumps makes sense, but when so many scenes include "as the weeks passed", "the ensuing days were...", "Aislinn spent most of her days...", "four months later", it doesn't allow the reader to feel fully grounded in the story. And myI really didn’t think it allowed for the reader to connect with the romance as much. For example, in one chapter, it says they worked in the garden for days where Aislinn talks and Hakon listens. What did they talk about??? What was going on inside their heads! These are key moments where they are getting to know each other and we're missing them. It seemed like many of the 'getting to know you' moments were skimmed over and instead, the reader is told they are falling for one another instead of being shown how they fall for each other. This telling vs. showing also hinders growing sexual tension because you just don't get to see it develop at all.
Of course, there are definitely moments where they do get to know each other and connect, but because of all the time jumps and inferences made from them, I didn't really feel the strong bond of their relationship.
Overall, it is a sweet story that had some good moments. It just wasn't a favorite. I will, however, read the next book since it has to do with the brooding fae warrior, Allarion, and it's going to have an arranged marriage (my favorite)!
Favorite Quotes:
"I don't shine," she murmured.
"Oh, you do. So brightly, it burns hotter than my forge fires."
_______
Nothing should be allowed to make her feel so low, so broken. Hakon wouldn't stand for it any longer. He would fill her life with only goodness and pleasure. He would make her happy, give her a life that would make her smile. She deserved nothing less.
_______
"Aislinn, vinya," he murmured against her skin. Rose, he called her. His rose, vibrant and sweet.
_______
"Soon, you will understand you can ask more, much more of me. Anything at all, vinya, and you shall have it."
_______
Nothing in this life was every so easy - and nothing in his life would ever be more worth it. He was worse than naive, he was a fool. A fool for her.
_______
He held the whole world in his hand, and he wouldn't be foolish enough to let it go. She was everything to him, the axis around which his world spun, his guiding star.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
✨ fantasy monster romance
✨ he’s a half orc blacksmith
✨ she’s a human heiress
✨ neurodivergent FMC
✨ hearing impaired MMC
✨ friends to lovers
✨ denial of feelings
✨ he falls first and hard
✨ slow burn
✨ forbidden romance
✨ 3.5/5 🌶️ (open door and explicit)
✨ size difference
✨ mate bond
✨ political intrigue
✨ family drama
✨ high(ish) stakes
✨ found family
✨ HEA
✨ TW: panic attacks, emotional abuse from caretaker,
My Thoughts:
First off, this story has much more world building. I enjoyed getting to learn about this realm's politics and being introduced to other creatures. The main focus of this story is split between the romance and political intrigue, so it has higher stakes and more drama.
I absolutely adored Halfling. The MCs were so sweet and perfect together, the romance was equal parts cute and sexy, and I just loved the entire vibe of the story. While Ironling does a really great job expanding on the world through politics and introducing more creatures, the MCs and their romance didn't hit the spot.
Aislinn and Hakon are both interesting characters that had traumas/struggles that they overcame throughout the book. I do like them, I just didn't love them like the MCs from Halfling. I know it's probably not fair to compare, but I love Sorcha and Orek with all my heart and just had high expectations for these characters.
I didn't know if I truly believed Hakon’s reason for denying his feelings, and I didn't like how Aislinn was a pushover. These things wouldn't have bothered me so much if they weren't the main source of emotional conflict in the story. It was pretty repetitive and after a while I just wanted to scream at them to get their shit together. But seriously, why on earth would Aislinn keep making excuses for/forgiving people in her life who never treat her well i.e. her father, brother, and Brenna? Maybe I can't fathom her response because I would never be such a pushover but it was infuriating to read about.
Another thing that irked me were all the time jumps. One or two jumps makes sense, but when so many scenes include "as the weeks passed", "the ensuing days were...", "Aislinn spent most of her days...", "four months later", it doesn't allow the reader to feel fully grounded in the story. And myI really didn’t think it allowed for the reader to connect with the romance as much. For example, in one chapter, it says they worked in the garden for days where Aislinn talks and Hakon listens. What did they talk about??? What was going on inside their heads! These are key moments where they are getting to know each other and we're missing them. It seemed like many of the 'getting to know you' moments were skimmed over and instead, the reader is told they are falling for one another instead of being shown how they fall for each other. This telling vs. showing also hinders growing sexual tension because you just don't get to see it develop at all.
Of course, there are definitely moments where they do get to know each other and connect, but because of all the time jumps and inferences made from them, I didn't really feel the strong bond of their relationship.
Overall, it is a sweet story that had some good moments. It just wasn't a favorite. I will, however, read the next book since it has to do with the brooding fae warrior, Allarion, and it's going to have an arranged marriage (my favorite)!
Favorite Quotes:
"I don't shine," she murmured.
"Oh, you do. So brightly, it burns hotter than my forge fires."
_______
Nothing should be allowed to make her feel so low, so broken. Hakon wouldn't stand for it any longer. He would fill her life with only goodness and pleasure. He would make her happy, give her a life that would make her smile. She deserved nothing less.
_______
"Aislinn, vinya," he murmured against her skin. Rose, he called her. His rose, vibrant and sweet.
_______
"Soon, you will understand you can ask more, much more of me. Anything at all, vinya, and you shall have it."
_______
Nothing in this life was every so easy - and nothing in his life would ever be more worth it. He was worse than naive, he was a fool. A fool for her.
_______
August 22, 2025
☆ 4.5 stars
"Under his piercing gaze, none of her was able to hide; he saw all and didn't look away."
📖 𝐩𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 483 pages
👤 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: S.E. Wendel
🏢 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫: published independently
📅 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞: 30 August 2024
What you can expect:
— Adult Fantasy Monster Romance
— Third Person X Dual POV
— Human Heiress X Half-Orc Blacksmith
— He Falls First
— Forbidden Romance
— Neurodivergent Heroine
— Slow Burn Romance
— Found Family
— Acts Of Service Love Language
— Political Intrigue
𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬: sexually explicit content, panic attacks & fits (on-page), parental & family loss, violence, characters in peril, battle scenes and blood.
𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲:
Ironling is the second instalment in the Monstrous World series by author S.E. Wendel. This is my fourth read by this author and I continue to be impressed and in awe by their compelling narrative voice that drives the storyline from beginning to end, and the ability to create beautiful and extensive imagery within my mind. I was immediately swept away by the tragic tone-of-voice in the prologue which left me feeling enthralled and enraptured as I was unable to put my kindle down. Ironling masterfully highlights the importance that our differences can set us apart without solely defining us. That we're all capable of strong and wonderful things with the right supportive circle by our side. The pacing itself was slower in comparison to my previous experience with this author's works, however in this instance it definitely worked. The focus on character exploration and development was strong and made the book an absolute joy to read as was the subtle easter eggs teasing future series instalments. With its strong cast of characters and endearing relationships, this is not a story to be missed for fans of the Monster Romance genre. While able to be read as a standalone, it's strongly suggested to read Halfling first due to the ongoing lore within the world and the continuous appearances of characters.
𝐏𝐥𝐨𝐭:
The plot takes place almost immediately after the ending of Halfling where Aislinn finds herself named heiress in place of her condemned younger brother. Adapting to her new official title proves to be a struggle for Aislinn as she struggles to maintain a balance between her old way of life and her new, demanding one. All she ever wanted was to be left in peace with her books and inventions, and instead finds herself bearing more responsibility than she ever anticipated. The last place Aislinn ever expected to seek sanctuary in was within the blacksmith's forge alongside their new halfling recruit. Being around Hakon is easy... far easier than she has ever experienced alongside her fellow humans. Following Aislinn and Hakon on their journey from mutual attraction, to friendship to love was a beautiful and rewarding journey to follow. Can they overcome their fears of the unknown and find safety within one another? Will the outside pressure prevail and dictate the future of their relationship, or will it help them come out of the other side even stronger? With a vengeful brother threatening to make his return and reclaim his lost title through violence and war... allies and foe become difficult to distinguish as mistrust sweeps through the estate Aislinn has sworn to protect. Only one sibling can emerge victorious as heir to the Darrowlands... and it might not be Aislinn.
𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬:
Aislinn Darrow was a beautifully raw and vulnerable character to follow in her emotional journey towards discovering her inner strengths and capabilities. Her difficulties with processing strong emotions opened up a vulnerable conversation surrounding neurodivergence and it truly further opened my eyes to the inner struggles and strength that can be discovered when provided with a safe space to grow. Aislinn struggled with the weight and burden of her newfound responsibilities and often struggled to delegate tasks. Drowning under the pressure and expectations from her peers, Aislinn often sought out the shelter and security that Hakon proudly provided. I was constantly proud and in awe of Aislinn's resilience and refusal to break. No matter how many times she fell in a flood of of emotion and despair, she managed to pick herself back up every single time. The most rewarding development for me was her slow realisation that he reactions and responses weren't something to feel ashamed of and were simply part of who she is. Seeing Aislinn slowly lower her walls to emotionally let Hakon in as he became a constant source of support and strength was inspiring and rewarding. He never allowed Aislinn herself, nor others, diminish or invalidate her emotions. Seeing her bloom is with security and confidence within herself was a highlight of the story for me, and I felt true pride and emotion for Aislinn's overall development by the end. Her loyalty and commitment for her people and community was awe-inspiring, and I was thrilled to see them return that tenfold. There was nobody more deserving of their love, loyalty and belief... and Aislinn proved them right with her steadfast leadership and commitment to bettering the living circumstances for humans and otherlings alike.
Hakon Green-Fist is a golden retriever personified character whom I immediately adored and found myself rooting for. After tragically losing the grandparents that raised him within a very short space of time, Hakon was ready to move outside of the borders he called home in search of a new purpose. As a halfling; half human and half orc, Hakon was too human for an orcess to find long-term interest in and often struggled with loneliness as a result. Moving to the Darrowlands was a fresh start with a new change in finding a woman to hopefully cherish and form a mate bond with... and the last person he expected to find himself falling for was the heiress herself. I hold a lot of respect for Hakon as he faced the bigotry of others with grace and patience, despite how undeserving they were. All he desperately wanted was a simple life and a family to love, care for and protect. His empathy and compassion for others made his a good friend, companion and even better partner. Hakon's love and dedication towards his craft was respectable and inspiring, and his passion was clearly reflected through the page. Hakon struggles with partial deafness in one ear and I both admired his refusal to allow it to hinder him, whilst finding humour in apparent misconceptions as a result. I felt really bad for Hakon when his intense lip-reading led to a clear misunderstanding with another human woman, but I also admire how upfront he was about the error and his commitment to doing better. His well-meaning and good natured personality was endearing to see, and honestly I can find very little fault in this big friendly giant. The only thing I noticed Hakon struggle with was his moments of miscommunication with Aislinn. I definitely feel like the development within their relationship could've went smoother had Hakon been more upfront and honest with his overall communication and expectations, but at the same time I understand the reasoning for his hesitancy. His strong presence, lack of political ambition and commitment to being the best mate and partner for Aislinn has solidified Hakon as my favourite Wendel love interest to date.
𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭:
I absolutely adored following Hakon and Aislinn throughout the entirety of their relationship progression. Whilst the attraction was immediate on both sides, the forbidden nature of a romantic and intimate affair showcased the pair prioritising a true companionship and friendship in its stead. I love how they both immediately felt at ease and safe within each other's presence which greatly added to the believability of their compatibility. Hakon and Aislinn granted the other with a safe and patient space to open up about their deepest vulnerabilities and fears, and to be able to watch how deep their emotional intimacy ran prior to the establishment of their physical connection was so special and true. When they finally lost their battle of attraction and got together, it was definitely worth the wait with the way sparks were flying. The sheer chemistry Hakon and Aislinn share was off the charts and left me fanning myself with my hand regularly. The importance of communication within and out with their intimate scenes was beautiful to follow, and I truly cannot think of a better suited pair. Hakon's lack of political ambition and want for a mate to love and adore made him the perfect match for an heiress who refused to be a man's stepping stone for her political position. Aislinn's initial reaction to her title was a struggle as she never anticipated having that responsibility place upon her shoulders, and over time she began to trust in herself the value that she brings to her community. Hakon was the perfect confidant and support system that only ever wished to see her succeed, even if that meant his initial dreams of a quiet life were lost. The only thing I wish Hakon had done was explain the orc-mate bond to Aislinn sooner as it would've saved her from her anxiety and fear surrounding Hakon's long-term intentions. I understand why he was hesitant due to what Aislinn was dealing with, but at the same time he always valued and respected her strength of character. An earlier reassurance surrounding their relationship would've meant one less thing to worry about, however regardless I absolutely adore the dynamics between the pair and they have immediately become one of my all-time favourite couples.
𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:
Author S.E. Wendel continues to set out to impress with the newest addition to the Monstrous World series. The story felt well balanced with its fluffy and steamy romance and a heart-racing, action-packed finale which scratched the itch for something intense to happen. I'm so excited to read the third instalment to the series, Sweetling, later this year which will feature a certain broody and elusive Fae male and his equally broody unicorn companion. I'm so intrigued by the lore of the Fae within this world and the mystery surrounding Allarion abandoning his home and Queen. Whilst I have adored following Orcs within the past few books, I'm eager to see the development and expansion of this world through the eyes of other creatures.
𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐲.
The Monstrous World series:
1. Halfling - 4 stars
2. Ironling - 4.5 stars
3. Sweetling - 4 stars
4. Faeling - 4 stars
"Under his piercing gaze, none of her was able to hide; he saw all and didn't look away."
📖 𝐩𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 483 pages
👤 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: S.E. Wendel
🏢 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫: published independently
📅 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞: 30 August 2024
What you can expect:
— Adult Fantasy Monster Romance
— Third Person X Dual POV
— Human Heiress X Half-Orc Blacksmith
— He Falls First
— Forbidden Romance
— Neurodivergent Heroine
— Slow Burn Romance
— Found Family
— Acts Of Service Love Language
— Political Intrigue
𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬: sexually explicit content, panic attacks & fits (on-page), parental & family loss, violence, characters in peril, battle scenes and blood.
𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲:
Ironling is the second instalment in the Monstrous World series by author S.E. Wendel. This is my fourth read by this author and I continue to be impressed and in awe by their compelling narrative voice that drives the storyline from beginning to end, and the ability to create beautiful and extensive imagery within my mind. I was immediately swept away by the tragic tone-of-voice in the prologue which left me feeling enthralled and enraptured as I was unable to put my kindle down. Ironling masterfully highlights the importance that our differences can set us apart without solely defining us. That we're all capable of strong and wonderful things with the right supportive circle by our side. The pacing itself was slower in comparison to my previous experience with this author's works, however in this instance it definitely worked. The focus on character exploration and development was strong and made the book an absolute joy to read as was the subtle easter eggs teasing future series instalments. With its strong cast of characters and endearing relationships, this is not a story to be missed for fans of the Monster Romance genre. While able to be read as a standalone, it's strongly suggested to read Halfling first due to the ongoing lore within the world and the continuous appearances of characters.
𝐏𝐥𝐨𝐭:
The plot takes place almost immediately after the ending of Halfling where Aislinn finds herself named heiress in place of her condemned younger brother. Adapting to her new official title proves to be a struggle for Aislinn as she struggles to maintain a balance between her old way of life and her new, demanding one. All she ever wanted was to be left in peace with her books and inventions, and instead finds herself bearing more responsibility than she ever anticipated. The last place Aislinn ever expected to seek sanctuary in was within the blacksmith's forge alongside their new halfling recruit. Being around Hakon is easy... far easier than she has ever experienced alongside her fellow humans. Following Aislinn and Hakon on their journey from mutual attraction, to friendship to love was a beautiful and rewarding journey to follow. Can they overcome their fears of the unknown and find safety within one another? Will the outside pressure prevail and dictate the future of their relationship, or will it help them come out of the other side even stronger? With a vengeful brother threatening to make his return and reclaim his lost title through violence and war... allies and foe become difficult to distinguish as mistrust sweeps through the estate Aislinn has sworn to protect. Only one sibling can emerge victorious as heir to the Darrowlands... and it might not be Aislinn.
𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬:
Aislinn Darrow was a beautifully raw and vulnerable character to follow in her emotional journey towards discovering her inner strengths and capabilities. Her difficulties with processing strong emotions opened up a vulnerable conversation surrounding neurodivergence and it truly further opened my eyes to the inner struggles and strength that can be discovered when provided with a safe space to grow. Aislinn struggled with the weight and burden of her newfound responsibilities and often struggled to delegate tasks. Drowning under the pressure and expectations from her peers, Aislinn often sought out the shelter and security that Hakon proudly provided. I was constantly proud and in awe of Aislinn's resilience and refusal to break. No matter how many times she fell in a flood of of emotion and despair, she managed to pick herself back up every single time. The most rewarding development for me was her slow realisation that he reactions and responses weren't something to feel ashamed of and were simply part of who she is. Seeing Aislinn slowly lower her walls to emotionally let Hakon in as he became a constant source of support and strength was inspiring and rewarding. He never allowed Aislinn herself, nor others, diminish or invalidate her emotions. Seeing her bloom is with security and confidence within herself was a highlight of the story for me, and I felt true pride and emotion for Aislinn's overall development by the end. Her loyalty and commitment for her people and community was awe-inspiring, and I was thrilled to see them return that tenfold. There was nobody more deserving of their love, loyalty and belief... and Aislinn proved them right with her steadfast leadership and commitment to bettering the living circumstances for humans and otherlings alike.
Hakon Green-Fist is a golden retriever personified character whom I immediately adored and found myself rooting for. After tragically losing the grandparents that raised him within a very short space of time, Hakon was ready to move outside of the borders he called home in search of a new purpose. As a halfling; half human and half orc, Hakon was too human for an orcess to find long-term interest in and often struggled with loneliness as a result. Moving to the Darrowlands was a fresh start with a new change in finding a woman to hopefully cherish and form a mate bond with... and the last person he expected to find himself falling for was the heiress herself. I hold a lot of respect for Hakon as he faced the bigotry of others with grace and patience, despite how undeserving they were. All he desperately wanted was a simple life and a family to love, care for and protect. His empathy and compassion for others made his a good friend, companion and even better partner. Hakon's love and dedication towards his craft was respectable and inspiring, and his passion was clearly reflected through the page. Hakon struggles with partial deafness in one ear and I both admired his refusal to allow it to hinder him, whilst finding humour in apparent misconceptions as a result. I felt really bad for Hakon when his intense lip-reading led to a clear misunderstanding with another human woman, but I also admire how upfront he was about the error and his commitment to doing better. His well-meaning and good natured personality was endearing to see, and honestly I can find very little fault in this big friendly giant. The only thing I noticed Hakon struggle with was his moments of miscommunication with Aislinn. I definitely feel like the development within their relationship could've went smoother had Hakon been more upfront and honest with his overall communication and expectations, but at the same time I understand the reasoning for his hesitancy. His strong presence, lack of political ambition and commitment to being the best mate and partner for Aislinn has solidified Hakon as my favourite Wendel love interest to date.
𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭:
I absolutely adored following Hakon and Aislinn throughout the entirety of their relationship progression. Whilst the attraction was immediate on both sides, the forbidden nature of a romantic and intimate affair showcased the pair prioritising a true companionship and friendship in its stead. I love how they both immediately felt at ease and safe within each other's presence which greatly added to the believability of their compatibility. Hakon and Aislinn granted the other with a safe and patient space to open up about their deepest vulnerabilities and fears, and to be able to watch how deep their emotional intimacy ran prior to the establishment of their physical connection was so special and true. When they finally lost their battle of attraction and got together, it was definitely worth the wait with the way sparks were flying. The sheer chemistry Hakon and Aislinn share was off the charts and left me fanning myself with my hand regularly. The importance of communication within and out with their intimate scenes was beautiful to follow, and I truly cannot think of a better suited pair. Hakon's lack of political ambition and want for a mate to love and adore made him the perfect match for an heiress who refused to be a man's stepping stone for her political position. Aislinn's initial reaction to her title was a struggle as she never anticipated having that responsibility place upon her shoulders, and over time she began to trust in herself the value that she brings to her community. Hakon was the perfect confidant and support system that only ever wished to see her succeed, even if that meant his initial dreams of a quiet life were lost. The only thing I wish Hakon had done was explain the orc-mate bond to Aislinn sooner as it would've saved her from her anxiety and fear surrounding Hakon's long-term intentions. I understand why he was hesitant due to what Aislinn was dealing with, but at the same time he always valued and respected her strength of character. An earlier reassurance surrounding their relationship would've meant one less thing to worry about, however regardless I absolutely adore the dynamics between the pair and they have immediately become one of my all-time favourite couples.
𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:
Author S.E. Wendel continues to set out to impress with the newest addition to the Monstrous World series. The story felt well balanced with its fluffy and steamy romance and a heart-racing, action-packed finale which scratched the itch for something intense to happen. I'm so excited to read the third instalment to the series, Sweetling, later this year which will feature a certain broody and elusive Fae male and his equally broody unicorn companion. I'm so intrigued by the lore of the Fae within this world and the mystery surrounding Allarion abandoning his home and Queen. Whilst I have adored following Orcs within the past few books, I'm eager to see the development and expansion of this world through the eyes of other creatures.
𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐲.
The Monstrous World series:
1. Halfling - 4 stars
2. Ironling - 4.5 stars
3. Sweetling - 4 stars
4. Faeling - 4 stars
August 29, 2024
"I would make you the finest crown, the brightest torque inset with these. No one would be able to look away from how you shine."
"I don't shine," she murmured.
"Oh, you do. So brightly, it burns hotter than my forge fires."
I was so excited for this story ever since reading Halfling and it did not disappoint! I loved every minute of this book. From the friendship blossoming to a swoony romance, to the spicy trysts, the court drama and angst, and the perfect ending.
Hakon is such a golden retriever and everything he said had me melting into a puddle. Props to Aislinn for holding out so long. No matter how much he wanted to cart her off and protect her from everyone and everything he understood how important Aislinn was to her people and knew he had to be that supportive friend, and eventual partner, for her.
I related to Aislinn so much. It was hard to read how much she struggled sometimes with her anxiety and panic attacks. But it was amazing to see her learn how to manage them, figure out her strengths, and succeed despite those challenges. As a neurodivergent person myself, I understood her a lot. And I loved seeing Hakon show her that even though she was mostly successful in keeping her panic attacks at bay, sometimes she just needed to feel her feelings. And that was ok.
Of course it was amazing seeing the lovely Sorcha and Orek again! The way they just fit into this story - it was the perfection continuation from their own book. We even got a glimpse or two of my favorite raccoon.
I am already so in love with Allarion. I can't wait for his story. Thank goodness we don't have to wait too long!
"I don't shine," she murmured.
"Oh, you do. So brightly, it burns hotter than my forge fires."
I was so excited for this story ever since reading Halfling and it did not disappoint! I loved every minute of this book. From the friendship blossoming to a swoony romance, to the spicy trysts, the court drama and angst, and the perfect ending.
Hakon is such a golden retriever and everything he said had me melting into a puddle. Props to Aislinn for holding out so long. No matter how much he wanted to cart her off and protect her from everyone and everything he understood how important Aislinn was to her people and knew he had to be that supportive friend, and eventual partner, for her.
I related to Aislinn so much. It was hard to read how much she struggled sometimes with her anxiety and panic attacks. But it was amazing to see her learn how to manage them, figure out her strengths, and succeed despite those challenges. As a neurodivergent person myself, I understood her a lot. And I loved seeing Hakon show her that even though she was mostly successful in keeping her panic attacks at bay, sometimes she just needed to feel her feelings. And that was ok.
Of course it was amazing seeing the lovely Sorcha and Orek again! The way they just fit into this story - it was the perfection continuation from their own book. We even got a glimpse or two of my favorite raccoon.
I am already so in love with Allarion. I can't wait for his story. Thank goodness we don't have to wait too long!
February 14, 2025
Easily a five star review
What am I supposed to do now huh?
Move on?
I can’t, I can’t move on from this
I need MORE
The way this man was so gentle and patient with her and I know that’s the bare minimum but YOU GUYS DONT GET IT😭 I want to jump into this book and push the FMC aside and take him for MYSELF
They were both so good and patient with each other and the tension?!🤭SIZZLING
Had me giggling and kicking my feet
STRAIGHT TO THE FAVORITES
What am I supposed to do now huh?
Move on?
I can’t, I can’t move on from this
I need MORE
The way this man was so gentle and patient with her and I know that’s the bare minimum but YOU GUYS DONT GET IT😭 I want to jump into this book and push the FMC aside and take him for MYSELF
They were both so good and patient with each other and the tension?!🤭SIZZLING
Had me giggling and kicking my feet
STRAIGHT TO THE FAVORITES
November 6, 2025
I liked the first one a little bit better. But I enjoyed the fact that it was woven in with the first story while still being able to be read on its own.
October 29, 2024
2⭐️ I loved Halfling but this one not so much tropes: fated mates, noblewoman x commoner, forbidden love | low steam | digital
characters
🩶 Aislinn is the daughter of Liege Darrow amd heir to heir lands. She is smart, kind, and caring while dealing with her own struggles. I loved her character a lot! She cared for her people and put their needs first and deserved the praise and loyalty she got.
🩶 Hakon is a half-orc blacksmith who has left his remaining family to look for his a mate of his own. He got on my nerves to the point I said he was Criston Cole coded (IYKYK). He seemed to care about the idea of what a mate should be and should do more than what Aislinn wanted at times and came off as immature and selfish. Obviously wasn't the intention of the character but since it was dragged on for so long, it make is worse.
favorite bits
🖤 I really loved the build up to the relationship between Aislinn and Hakon. Making them friends first with a budding attraction made their development into a relationship more rewarding.
issues
❌ I really didn't like the plotline of Hakon wanting Aislinn to give up her position for him alone. It gave me the sick in his point of view that he could see all the work she was doing and her passion for it and still be like "I could love her more." I knew it would eventually be resolved and he'd have to let that go, but it was so drawn out that I couldn't get over the ick it gave me.
❌ I also felt like this story had a much slower pacing without a focused destination. There was the issue with Jerrod, Aislinn's brother but that didn't push the story forward for much of the story. By the 65% mark I really wanted something of note to happen. And when more politics did happen with Bayard, it still didn't endear itself to me.
❌
Check out my socials
characters
🩶 Aislinn is the daughter of Liege Darrow amd heir to heir lands. She is smart, kind, and caring while dealing with her own struggles. I loved her character a lot! She cared for her people and put their needs first and deserved the praise and loyalty she got.
🩶 Hakon is a half-orc blacksmith who has left his remaining family to look for his a mate of his own. He got on my nerves to the point I said he was Criston Cole coded (IYKYK). He seemed to care about the idea of what a mate should be and should do more than what Aislinn wanted at times and came off as immature and selfish. Obviously wasn't the intention of the character but since it was dragged on for so long, it make is worse.
favorite bits
🖤 I really loved the build up to the relationship between Aislinn and Hakon. Making them friends first with a budding attraction made their development into a relationship more rewarding.
issues
❌ I really didn't like the plotline of Hakon wanting Aislinn to give up her position for him alone. It gave me the sick in his point of view that he could see all the work she was doing and her passion for it and still be like "I could love her more." I knew it would eventually be resolved and he'd have to let that go, but it was so drawn out that I couldn't get over the ick it gave me.
❌ I also felt like this story had a much slower pacing without a focused destination. There was the issue with Jerrod, Aislinn's brother but that didn't push the story forward for much of the story. By the 65% mark I really wanted something of note to happen. And when more politics did happen with Bayard, it still didn't endear itself to me.
❌
Check out my socials
August 29, 2024
5 stars ⭐️
“Fates,” he hissed as her soft flesh kissed his cock, “you burn hotter than my forge.”
ARC review
I can say with full confidence that S.E. Wendel is a genius and delivers once again an immersive reading experience filled with vibrant characters, intriguing storytelling, and enchanting descriptions of this magical world. i’m without question utterly obsessed with this book! this is easily my top favorite book of the year 🩷
Hakon, the mmc, is such a golden retriever and swoony character. he’s such a sweet and lovable character, but with also a daring side to him (at least when it comes with aislinn). once he wants something, he’s determined to do everything in his power to get it. ugh, i love him so much. and hakon’s wolfhound, wülf, was so grumpy and cute companion. i adore them!
Aislinn, the fmc, is a character many people will probably resonate to while reading her go through her struggles. she’s just not only so kind and selfless, but also so mentally strong and determined about the things she care for. i loved seeing her grow into being more confident about herself and earning her place as the heiress and the future liege of the darrowlands. and i absolutely love her for that.
Hakon and aislinn’s romance starts off as a innocent friendship that slowly blooms into a euphoric and swoon worthy romance between the two. their relationship growth felt natural and authentic as the story progressed, making me root and feel so much for them once they finally admitted their true feeling for each other. i love these two with my whole heart and soul. and let me tell you, the spice was spicing in this book. gosh, the tension between them was electric.
“My good mate,” he rumbled, “how you burn for me. Do you want to feel how I burn for you?”
I adored seeing more of this world as wendel slowly but surely expands it and provide us with different places, magic systems, and new lore. we may or may not have gotten some hints for the next book in the series about a certain fae. i honestly can’t wait to see what the rest of the series will bring to the table because i’m already so excited for allarion’s book: sweetling (releasing in november).
Also, seeing familiar characters from halfling showing up in this book was a delight. sorcha, orek, darrah— i loved seeing everyone again!!
without spoiling anything, i was blown away by the last 15 %. i was plastered to my kindle, my heart racing reading the last few chapters. it was honestly epic and i loved how wendel wrapped everything up nicely. oh my gosh, the second epilogue had me sobbing. and chapter 32!! let me tell you i was giggling like a fool while reading that chapter!!
nevertheless, you absolutely don’t wanna miss this book once it’s releases this upcoming friday (august 30th).
thank you so much s.e. wendel for providing me with this arc in exchange of an honest review.
“Fates,” he hissed as her soft flesh kissed his cock, “you burn hotter than my forge.”
ARC review
I can say with full confidence that S.E. Wendel is a genius and delivers once again an immersive reading experience filled with vibrant characters, intriguing storytelling, and enchanting descriptions of this magical world. i’m without question utterly obsessed with this book! this is easily my top favorite book of the year 🩷
Hakon, the mmc, is such a golden retriever and swoony character. he’s such a sweet and lovable character, but with also a daring side to him (at least when it comes with aislinn). once he wants something, he’s determined to do everything in his power to get it. ugh, i love him so much. and hakon’s wolfhound, wülf, was so grumpy and cute companion. i adore them!
Aislinn, the fmc, is a character many people will probably resonate to while reading her go through her struggles. she’s just not only so kind and selfless, but also so mentally strong and determined about the things she care for. i loved seeing her grow into being more confident about herself and earning her place as the heiress and the future liege of the darrowlands. and i absolutely love her for that.
Hakon and aislinn’s romance starts off as a innocent friendship that slowly blooms into a euphoric and swoon worthy romance between the two. their relationship growth felt natural and authentic as the story progressed, making me root and feel so much for them once they finally admitted their true feeling for each other. i love these two with my whole heart and soul. and let me tell you, the spice was spicing in this book. gosh, the tension between them was electric.
“My good mate,” he rumbled, “how you burn for me. Do you want to feel how I burn for you?”
I adored seeing more of this world as wendel slowly but surely expands it and provide us with different places, magic systems, and new lore. we may or may not have gotten some hints for the next book in the series about a certain fae. i honestly can’t wait to see what the rest of the series will bring to the table because i’m already so excited for allarion’s book: sweetling (releasing in november).
Also, seeing familiar characters from halfling showing up in this book was a delight. sorcha, orek, darrah— i loved seeing everyone again!!
without spoiling anything, i was blown away by the last 15 %. i was plastered to my kindle, my heart racing reading the last few chapters. it was honestly epic and i loved how wendel wrapped everything up nicely. oh my gosh, the second epilogue had me sobbing. and chapter 32!! let me tell you i was giggling like a fool while reading that chapter!!
nevertheless, you absolutely don’t wanna miss this book once it’s releases this upcoming friday (august 30th).
thank you so much s.e. wendel for providing me with this arc in exchange of an honest review.
September 27, 2025
I just know Fia had all of the gossip.
Loved this! Great sequel to a world I’m really enjoying.
🌹 Yes to neurodivergent FMC rep! I related to a lot of the challenges Aislinn faced and saw my own husband is Hakon. Seeing him provide a safe space to lean agains made me very grateful for my own relationship.
🌹 I cannot put into words how much I want orc mating dances to be a thing
🌹 The way Hakon is an absolute quiet sweetheart who goes feral for her 🤌🤌
🌹 The additional world building was so great in this book! I’m really looking forward to continuing the series and meeting the other characters.
Loved this! Great sequel to a world I’m really enjoying.
🌹 Yes to neurodivergent FMC rep! I related to a lot of the challenges Aislinn faced and saw my own husband is Hakon. Seeing him provide a safe space to lean agains made me very grateful for my own relationship.
🌹 I cannot put into words how much I want orc mating dances to be a thing
🌹 The way Hakon is an absolute quiet sweetheart who goes feral for her 🤌🤌
🌹 The additional world building was so great in this book! I’m really looking forward to continuing the series and meeting the other characters.
October 23, 2025
2.5 ⭐️ soft dnf at 45%
I haven’t picked up the book in some days and I don’t feel like it anytime soon so that’s enough of an answer for me that I won’t be finishing it. Sadly it was such a disappointment as compared to book 1. I know I shouldn’t compare, but I don’t care. I’m going to it’s by the same author. This book was so boring and I did not care for any of the characters. The FMC was a little bit of a pushover which I cannot stand. How are you gonna be in a position of power but be a pushover??? It’s so dumb to me. I didn’t really like the MMC either as he seemed very selfish in just wanting her to give up her title of lady of the land just to go live with him in some meadow……boy be fr right now.
It had insta lust vibes from the very beginning which annoyed me but I pushed through and yea it just didn’t get any better for me. He says she’s his mate and from there just talks about convincing her to give up her life to be with him, doesn’t even care what she wants. He also just wasn’t doing it for me and his character was kinda blah. Would get all sad and pissy when she didn’t come visit him in the forge 😂 childish. She had duties and is always busy doing important shit for her ppl but no he’s mad she didn’t come and see him. Then would doubt himself by saying “she must not feel what I feel” or “I’m so stupid of course she doesn’t want me” ugh stop the whining!
I
I don’t understand how the author could write such a masterpiece of book 1, give us a beautiful slow burn and a devoted MMC then turn around and make this book. I thought I found a gem of a series but according to reviews the books are just as bad or worse as they go on and they say Halfling was the best one 😪 I’m gonna skip book 3 bc I wasn’t interested in it to begin with and I read reviews, the FMC is insufferable but I don want to give book 4 a chance but I honestly don’t have high hopes
I haven’t picked up the book in some days and I don’t feel like it anytime soon so that’s enough of an answer for me that I won’t be finishing it. Sadly it was such a disappointment as compared to book 1. I know I shouldn’t compare, but I don’t care. I’m going to it’s by the same author. This book was so boring and I did not care for any of the characters. The FMC was a little bit of a pushover which I cannot stand. How are you gonna be in a position of power but be a pushover??? It’s so dumb to me. I didn’t really like the MMC either as he seemed very selfish in just wanting her to give up her title of lady of the land just to go live with him in some meadow……boy be fr right now.
It had insta lust vibes from the very beginning which annoyed me but I pushed through and yea it just didn’t get any better for me. He says she’s his mate and from there just talks about convincing her to give up her life to be with him, doesn’t even care what she wants. He also just wasn’t doing it for me and his character was kinda blah. Would get all sad and pissy when she didn’t come visit him in the forge 😂 childish. She had duties and is always busy doing important shit for her ppl but no he’s mad she didn’t come and see him. Then would doubt himself by saying “she must not feel what I feel” or “I’m so stupid of course she doesn’t want me” ugh stop the whining!
I
I don’t understand how the author could write such a masterpiece of book 1, give us a beautiful slow burn and a devoted MMC then turn around and make this book. I thought I found a gem of a series but according to reviews the books are just as bad or worse as they go on and they say Halfling was the best one 😪 I’m gonna skip book 3 bc I wasn’t interested in it to begin with and I read reviews, the FMC is insufferable but I don want to give book 4 a chance but I honestly don’t have high hopes
July 24, 2025
4/5⭐️
JUST SO FREAKING SWEET AND COZY I LOVE THIS SERIES
JUST SO FREAKING SWEET AND COZY I LOVE THIS SERIES
August 25, 2024
I am a huge fan of Halfling. It was a random kindle purchase that once I started reading I could NOT put down. Needless to say, I’ve been restless for another book in the Monstrous World series.
Ironling features Aislinn, heiress and future Liege to the Darrowlands and Hakon a half human and half orc talented blacksmith. What starts off as a sweet friendship, blossoms into a swoon worthy romance where our main characters defy the odds to be together. While Ironling is a stand alone in the MW series, it would be best to read Halfling first to get a better idea of the world and the characters.
Ironling features Aislinn, heiress and future Liege to the Darrowlands and Hakon a half human and half orc talented blacksmith. What starts off as a sweet friendship, blossoms into a swoon worthy romance where our main characters defy the odds to be together. While Ironling is a stand alone in the MW series, it would be best to read Halfling first to get a better idea of the world and the characters.
August 30, 2024
My most anticipated book of the year, everything S.E Wendel touches is gold, and this is no different.
Aislinn is now the heir to the Darrowlands, and struggling to deal with all her new responsibilities. Until she meets Hakon, who has travelled to find his mate. These two meet, and sparks fly immediately! Starting as friends, they grow into lovers, hiding in rose bushes and stealing kisses when they can. I was hooked from the start, this book intertwines romance and political intrigue so well, as Aislinn is also dealing with the wrath of her banished brother back for revenge. It was so good to see Orek and Sorcha intertwined into this story, I missed them so much!
This story is so perfect, these cuties are absolutely dedicated to each other, I couldn’t put this down.
Aislinn is now the heir to the Darrowlands, and struggling to deal with all her new responsibilities. Until she meets Hakon, who has travelled to find his mate. These two meet, and sparks fly immediately! Starting as friends, they grow into lovers, hiding in rose bushes and stealing kisses when they can. I was hooked from the start, this book intertwines romance and political intrigue so well, as Aislinn is also dealing with the wrath of her banished brother back for revenge. It was so good to see Orek and Sorcha intertwined into this story, I missed them so much!
This story is so perfect, these cuties are absolutely dedicated to each other, I couldn’t put this down.
August 30, 2024
two points for now:
1 - full review is coming, need to precess everything
2 - i'm so happy story took turn which i wasn't expected and how everything came to an end. (also i'm so intrigues with third book, this mysterious fae...just hello <3)
*ARC REVIEW*
WOW! what an amazing story we've got!
We have a lovely girl Aislinn who is an heir and a person who needs to think about her people while her father is away. From her childhood she tried to make positive changes in the kingdom and be someone people rely and lean on. Aislinn has troubles with regulating and expressing her feelings, so she is trying to bottle everything but every now and then she has emotional attacks (let's call it this way) and she can't stop her tears.
Also we have Hakon - handsome new blacksmith - who has limited hearing. He arrived to the castle for the better life, life where he can purchase land and find a family, find a mate! Cause matehood is sacred in orc's community. Our lovely boy is slowly falling in love with her, he assist her with any idea she has, he listens when she is talking, he learn her language with her help and in return he teaches he sign-language.
Best way to describe vibes i've got from them are 'Princess-bride' love story. 'Anything you want, my lady' - just so sweet.
For sure, their power dynamic is unbalanced and they need to overcome this differences.
Can Hakon accept that his mate is a powerful and important lady whose people need her, lady who wants to be in her position even if this means being sad and lonely.
Can Aislinn accept her feelings, her desire and pull to blacksmith? Can she make her people see them together and accept this? He is a half-orc man and she is a human lady, can they be together in a world where mixed pairs are rarity and when they have so many issues with people and their prejudices.
Really a great story with interesting and intriguing plot, romantic relationship and tension between them were sweet even when i wanted to cry from their sadness or heartbreak, smut was a great bonus. Also want to mention side characters, they are unique, we met Orek and Sorcha once again and followed their story and we also had several scenes with Allarion (MMC from third book Sweetling).
Many thanks to author for sharing this book in an ARC format in exchange for an honest review.
1 - full review is coming, need to precess everything
2 - i'm so happy story took turn which i wasn't expected and how everything came to an end. (also i'm so intrigues with third book, this mysterious fae...just hello <3)
*ARC REVIEW*
WOW! what an amazing story we've got!
We have a lovely girl Aislinn who is an heir and a person who needs to think about her people while her father is away. From her childhood she tried to make positive changes in the kingdom and be someone people rely and lean on. Aislinn has troubles with regulating and expressing her feelings, so she is trying to bottle everything but every now and then she has emotional attacks (let's call it this way) and she can't stop her tears.
Also we have Hakon - handsome new blacksmith - who has limited hearing. He arrived to the castle for the better life, life where he can purchase land and find a family, find a mate! Cause matehood is sacred in orc's community. Our lovely boy is slowly falling in love with her, he assist her with any idea she has, he listens when she is talking, he learn her language with her help and in return he teaches he sign-language.
Best way to describe vibes i've got from them are 'Princess-bride' love story. 'Anything you want, my lady' - just so sweet.
For sure, their power dynamic is unbalanced and they need to overcome this differences.
Can Hakon accept that his mate is a powerful and important lady whose people need her, lady who wants to be in her position even if this means being sad and lonely.
Can Aislinn accept her feelings, her desire and pull to blacksmith? Can she make her people see them together and accept this? He is a half-orc man and she is a human lady, can they be together in a world where mixed pairs are rarity and when they have so many issues with people and their prejudices.
Really a great story with interesting and intriguing plot, romantic relationship and tension between them were sweet even when i wanted to cry from their sadness or heartbreak, smut was a great bonus. Also want to mention side characters, they are unique, we met Orek and Sorcha once again and followed their story and we also had several scenes with Allarion (MMC from third book Sweetling).
Many thanks to author for sharing this book in an ARC format in exchange for an honest review.
August 26, 2024
Every time I pick up an S.E. Wendel book I end up completely lost in the wonderful world she creates. Hakon is a halfling orc who desperately wants a mate of his own, and from the minute he sees Aislinn he knows she's the one. But she's the beautiful heir to a large territory and still recovering from a family betrayal. How could a half orc blacksmith ever have a chance?
I love the immersive writing of the Monstrous World books. I can just imagine being right there with all the characters, the world is so vivid. I loved going along on Hakon's journey to find his happiness. And Aislinn was also a super relatable character as a woman trying to do her best despite the pressures and demands she faces. They come from two entirely different worlds, but it's their caring for each other that is the strength of the story. The handling of Aislinn's neurodivergency was so well done. as someone who also suffers from panic attacks, I found her character very relatable. And I loved seeing how Hakon took care of her without asking her to change or just stop it. The way they care for each other just made me want to melt.
This was a wonderful romance story of two people from different worlds who will face any obstacle to support each other and be together. it's a book about budling community and the strength that comes from making your own family of the people who love and support you. And it's all centered around a romance full of love and spice. The spice in this book was so hot! Hakon loves to please his mate and he's determined to show her he can. This book has everything I would want in a fantasy orc romance and made me cry from happiness by the end.
I love the immersive writing of the Monstrous World books. I can just imagine being right there with all the characters, the world is so vivid. I loved going along on Hakon's journey to find his happiness. And Aislinn was also a super relatable character as a woman trying to do her best despite the pressures and demands she faces. They come from two entirely different worlds, but it's their caring for each other that is the strength of the story. The handling of Aislinn's neurodivergency was so well done. as someone who also suffers from panic attacks, I found her character very relatable. And I loved seeing how Hakon took care of her without asking her to change or just stop it. The way they care for each other just made me want to melt.
This was a wonderful romance story of two people from different worlds who will face any obstacle to support each other and be together. it's a book about budling community and the strength that comes from making your own family of the people who love and support you. And it's all centered around a romance full of love and spice. The spice in this book was so hot! Hakon loves to please his mate and he's determined to show her he can. This book has everything I would want in a fantasy orc romance and made me cry from happiness by the end.
August 26, 2024
Ever since I read Halfling, I have fallen in love with Wendel's storytelling, writing style, and pure emotion that her work exudes. If I can compare her work to anyone else's, it would be Grace Draven's Radiance. Halfling and, now, Ironling, are the most perfect cosy monster romance you will ever read. And even though they both feature a romance between a half-orc and a human woman, they are vastly different. Orek and Hakon may both be half-orcs, but their backgrounds, life stories, personalities and characters aren't the same. They both have their own struggles but also find their own HEA.
My heart was constantly doing the pitter-patter, just as Aislinn's, the FMC, was every time her eyes landed on Hakon. Wendel has managed to create a fantasy story that feels so real & raw at the same time. We see Aislinn's struggles and Hakon's own struggles & issues, and they grow together & separately.
While Halfling was centred around Orek & Sorcha, Ironling offers more added elements, like court intrigue and politics, with Aislinn being the heiress to her demesne. I loved witnessing her strength, fierceness, care, and love for her demesne and people. She has always been stuck between all that and searching for happiness. She was maybe ready to give up, but then Hakon showed up, and her world changed for the better. Hakon has got my heart from when we laid eyes on him. His need & want to find his mate and create his own family was heartbreaking, and I felt his heart through the pages. He had his own share of growing up and understanding he needed to go beyond the pure concept of mate and family and accept Aislinn with everything that comes with her. When he did that, everything just clicked, and it was so beautiful to see how they both chose their future and chose each other.
The question of how a half-orc blacksmith can be a heiress' mate becomes irrelevant. He is worth it; I am sure everyone around them will understand that, too. His fierceness & protectiveness of Aislinn and her people are the final step to acceptance in a world still wary of the "otherly" people.
Ironling is everything you may want in an orc romance, everything and so much more. It is beautiful, honest & raw, and your heart will flutter from the first to the last page. I am so lucky to have been chosen as Wendel's ARC reader, and her work truly deserves all the hype it can get. Mark your calendars; August 30th is fast approaching!
In short, Ironling will gift you:
- cosy orc romance
- neurodivergent FMC
- fierce & protective blacksmith MMC
- size difference
- forbidden love
- swoony romance
- the cutest sneaking around
- he makes her things as a token of love
- court intrigue
- HEA
and a monster romance that will make your heart pitter-patter from the first to the last page!
My heart was constantly doing the pitter-patter, just as Aislinn's, the FMC, was every time her eyes landed on Hakon. Wendel has managed to create a fantasy story that feels so real & raw at the same time. We see Aislinn's struggles and Hakon's own struggles & issues, and they grow together & separately.
While Halfling was centred around Orek & Sorcha, Ironling offers more added elements, like court intrigue and politics, with Aislinn being the heiress to her demesne. I loved witnessing her strength, fierceness, care, and love for her demesne and people. She has always been stuck between all that and searching for happiness. She was maybe ready to give up, but then Hakon showed up, and her world changed for the better. Hakon has got my heart from when we laid eyes on him. His need & want to find his mate and create his own family was heartbreaking, and I felt his heart through the pages. He had his own share of growing up and understanding he needed to go beyond the pure concept of mate and family and accept Aislinn with everything that comes with her. When he did that, everything just clicked, and it was so beautiful to see how they both chose their future and chose each other.
The question of how a half-orc blacksmith can be a heiress' mate becomes irrelevant. He is worth it; I am sure everyone around them will understand that, too. His fierceness & protectiveness of Aislinn and her people are the final step to acceptance in a world still wary of the "otherly" people.
Ironling is everything you may want in an orc romance, everything and so much more. It is beautiful, honest & raw, and your heart will flutter from the first to the last page. I am so lucky to have been chosen as Wendel's ARC reader, and her work truly deserves all the hype it can get. Mark your calendars; August 30th is fast approaching!
In short, Ironling will gift you:
- cosy orc romance
- neurodivergent FMC
- fierce & protective blacksmith MMC
- size difference
- forbidden love
- swoony romance
- the cutest sneaking around
- he makes her things as a token of love
- court intrigue
- HEA
and a monster romance that will make your heart pitter-patter from the first to the last page!
September 11, 2024
3 stars - The plot for this one was more interesting, and while I loved Aislinn as the FMC a lot (yay, neurodivergent heroine!), I did not like Hakon as MMC as much as I liked Orek in the previous book. But I think the issues I had were also resolved nicely because he eventually comes around when presented with the choice of wanting a mate or wanting Aislinn.
The spice is good, but too much of a good thing makes it lose its spark, which also happens in the first book.
The spice is good, but too much of a good thing makes it lose its spark, which also happens in the first book.
August 29, 2024
When I tell you how excited I was to dive back into this fantasy world! Thank you @se.wendel.author for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC!
🍒Pining galore
🍒Class difference between fated mates
🍒Epic fantasy battles
🍒Neurodivergence
🍒”We both like each other but what do we do about it?”
🍒 Sacrifices everything for true love
BLURB: A lady heir in a world of lords…
Aislinn Darrow was never meant to be her father’s heir, but that was before her selfish brother condemned himself. Now, she must give up her old life to take his place. She should be presiding in her father’s council chamber and serving the people of the Darrowlands—yet time and again, she finds herself straying to the castle smithy, to visit the handsome new blacksmith manning the forge.
A lady can never claim a monster…
Hakon has known all his life his place is in the background. At least at his forge, he can be of use and demonstrate his skills. The life of a halfling is one of halves and pieces, never quite to belong. When he hears of a place that welcomes halflings, he determines to build a new life for himself in the Darrowlands. It is a bittersweet fate to find everything he could ever want there, in a woman he can never have. He knows his green, sooty hands don’t deserve to touch her, but Hakon cannot resist tempting Lady Aislinn back to him, nor indulging in the fantasy of claiming her as his own.
🍒🍒🍒🍒🍒🍒🍒🍒
Simply put, this book was a dreamy fairy tale I never want to leave. When I first started this series with Halfling, I knew this fantasy world was going to have a choke hold on me. That being said, this had a different vibe for sure, giving romantic epic fantasy vibes in a more immersive way. Maybe that’s because this is the second book, so the world building that was done in Halfling really got to shine here. This book was a little deeper and a tad heavier, but I really feel like it held no punches when giving the magic, the pining, and the “country before self” vibes. Truly, if you want something sweet, AND full of magical creatures battling, this one is for you!
Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥
🍒Pining galore
🍒Class difference between fated mates
🍒Epic fantasy battles
🍒Neurodivergence
🍒”We both like each other but what do we do about it?”
🍒 Sacrifices everything for true love
BLURB: A lady heir in a world of lords…
Aislinn Darrow was never meant to be her father’s heir, but that was before her selfish brother condemned himself. Now, she must give up her old life to take his place. She should be presiding in her father’s council chamber and serving the people of the Darrowlands—yet time and again, she finds herself straying to the castle smithy, to visit the handsome new blacksmith manning the forge.
A lady can never claim a monster…
Hakon has known all his life his place is in the background. At least at his forge, he can be of use and demonstrate his skills. The life of a halfling is one of halves and pieces, never quite to belong. When he hears of a place that welcomes halflings, he determines to build a new life for himself in the Darrowlands. It is a bittersweet fate to find everything he could ever want there, in a woman he can never have. He knows his green, sooty hands don’t deserve to touch her, but Hakon cannot resist tempting Lady Aislinn back to him, nor indulging in the fantasy of claiming her as his own.
🍒🍒🍒🍒🍒🍒🍒🍒
Simply put, this book was a dreamy fairy tale I never want to leave. When I first started this series with Halfling, I knew this fantasy world was going to have a choke hold on me. That being said, this had a different vibe for sure, giving romantic epic fantasy vibes in a more immersive way. Maybe that’s because this is the second book, so the world building that was done in Halfling really got to shine here. This book was a little deeper and a tad heavier, but I really feel like it held no punches when giving the magic, the pining, and the “country before self” vibes. Truly, if you want something sweet, AND full of magical creatures battling, this one is for you!
Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥
August 29, 2024
It’s time for us to sit down and chat about why you should be picking up a copy of Ironling right 👏🏽 this 👏🏽 minute 👏🏽
I want to start the review by thanking the author for this ARC! 🩷 I had bought a bunch of her books in May, but I kept losing the battle with my TBR demons 😤 and hadn’t had a chance to read any until now.
In preparation, I read Halfling last week (another great book, and book 1 in this series).
“Flirting with the handsome new blacksmith wouldn’t accomplish anything. But oh, fates, was it fun.”
I absolutely ate 👏🏽 this 👏🏽 book 👏🏽 up 👏🏽 Both Aislinn and Hakon were such likeable characters. Aislinn - neurospicy, anxiety queen was such a strong FMC. She’s smart, warm, funny, and the Darrowlands would be lost without her.
Hakon was like a lost puppy. He was ready to risk it all for Aislinn 😩🤌 his love language was definitely gifts & acts of service. No matter the task, Hakon would be there. He was a rock for Aislinn, and didn’t balk when she felt weak, reminding her of her strength and character (even if he kept trying to convince her to run away from her responsibilities with him 😉).
“Morning will come, and you are strong enough to meet it”
Orek, wasn’t even the MMC this story - yet he still managed to be an absolute kingggg. I loved all the advice he gave Hakon throughout the book. Sorcha and the rest of her family popped up as well, which made me so happy!! Even little Darrah 🥹🦝
Definitely check the trigger warnings for this series if you haven’t already read book 1. Ironling is an open door monster romance, packed with spicy scenes, some violent battles, and tackles feelings of anxiety and helplessness.
I loved this book, and I can’t wait to read the rest of the collection! So many interesting characters were introduced in this series, and I’m so excited to hear their stories 👀
I recommend this book to anyone after the following vibes:
💔 Forbidden love
❤️🔥 Slow burn to spice
💘 “Princess x stable boy”
💛 Neurodivergent FMC
💚 Partially deaf MMC
🖤 Touch her and 💀
💞 Fated mates
I want to start the review by thanking the author for this ARC! 🩷 I had bought a bunch of her books in May, but I kept losing the battle with my TBR demons 😤 and hadn’t had a chance to read any until now.
In preparation, I read Halfling last week (another great book, and book 1 in this series).
“Flirting with the handsome new blacksmith wouldn’t accomplish anything. But oh, fates, was it fun.”
I absolutely ate 👏🏽 this 👏🏽 book 👏🏽 up 👏🏽 Both Aislinn and Hakon were such likeable characters. Aislinn - neurospicy, anxiety queen was such a strong FMC. She’s smart, warm, funny, and the Darrowlands would be lost without her.
Hakon was like a lost puppy. He was ready to risk it all for Aislinn 😩🤌 his love language was definitely gifts & acts of service. No matter the task, Hakon would be there. He was a rock for Aislinn, and didn’t balk when she felt weak, reminding her of her strength and character (even if he kept trying to convince her to run away from her responsibilities with him 😉).
“Morning will come, and you are strong enough to meet it”
Orek, wasn’t even the MMC this story - yet he still managed to be an absolute kingggg. I loved all the advice he gave Hakon throughout the book. Sorcha and the rest of her family popped up as well, which made me so happy!! Even little Darrah 🥹🦝
Definitely check the trigger warnings for this series if you haven’t already read book 1. Ironling is an open door monster romance, packed with spicy scenes, some violent battles, and tackles feelings of anxiety and helplessness.
I loved this book, and I can’t wait to read the rest of the collection! So many interesting characters were introduced in this series, and I’m so excited to hear their stories 👀
I recommend this book to anyone after the following vibes:
💔 Forbidden love
❤️🔥 Slow burn to spice
💘 “Princess x stable boy”
💛 Neurodivergent FMC
💚 Partially deaf MMC
🖤 Touch her and 💀
💞 Fated mates
September 25, 2024
This book has everything you could hope for in a fantasy romance. I thought Halfling was the best book I'd read this year, but I think I loved Ironling even more, if that's at all possible.
October 28, 2024
I’m EASY!!!!! I see Lady and Blacksmith and I SIMPLY LOVE IT!!!!!!!! He supports her!!! He comforts her!!!!! I am!!!
November 13, 2024
Okay I'm in love with Hakon now, too.
July 30, 2025
I loved this one even more than the first in the series!! The world building was phenomenal! I highly recommend!
did-not-finish
August 4, 2025DNF @ 21%
I loved the first book, HALFLING, so I'm disappointed that IRONLING was so slow and meandering. I wasn't interested in Aislinn at all and Hakon came across flat as well. I think I'm learning that I don't enjoy fantasy romance that centers on castle/royal life. Those slow, day-to-day moments just aren't for me.
I loved the first book, HALFLING, so I'm disappointed that IRONLING was so slow and meandering. I wasn't interested in Aislinn at all and Hakon came across flat as well. I think I'm learning that I don't enjoy fantasy romance that centers on castle/royal life. Those slow, day-to-day moments just aren't for me.
September 17, 2025
A 2.5✨
A sweet book with several big irks for me. I will say it was relaxing in that it didn’t take a lot of concentration to read (which is important to me when I want some escapism after work) but honestly the story was very lacklustre for me. It started to feel like homework reading this. I hate to DNF because I always want to give the book a fair shot, but at times it carried on and on with no end in sight.
Whilst I liked the representation of a neurodiverse FMC, her character was a little strange and disjointed. (As someone who is ND myself). One minute she’s in charge of everything, assertive, the next she’s having melt downs. It’s not to say you can’t do both and people can mask their true feelings, but, it just felt a bit strange - the pacing was completely off.
I did like Hakan’s character - but not as much I enjoyed Orek’s personality. The sex scenes were extremely repetitive and I ended up skipping them.
Whilst the love story was quite cute - the storyline was weak. I wasn’t sure how much I could read about a bridge. I get the story is meant to be quaint, cute, but this was just boring.
I also hated Brenna and didn’t get the blind acceptance of her behaviour throughout the book. There was just a lot I didn’t enjoy about this book and won’t read the rest of the series.
A sweet book with several big irks for me. I will say it was relaxing in that it didn’t take a lot of concentration to read (which is important to me when I want some escapism after work) but honestly the story was very lacklustre for me. It started to feel like homework reading this. I hate to DNF because I always want to give the book a fair shot, but at times it carried on and on with no end in sight.
Whilst I liked the representation of a neurodiverse FMC, her character was a little strange and disjointed. (As someone who is ND myself). One minute she’s in charge of everything, assertive, the next she’s having melt downs. It’s not to say you can’t do both and people can mask their true feelings, but, it just felt a bit strange - the pacing was completely off.
I did like Hakan’s character - but not as much I enjoyed Orek’s personality. The sex scenes were extremely repetitive and I ended up skipping them.
Whilst the love story was quite cute - the storyline was weak. I wasn’t sure how much I could read about a bridge. I get the story is meant to be quaint, cute, but this was just boring.
I also hated Brenna and didn’t get the blind acceptance of her behaviour throughout the book. There was just a lot I didn’t enjoy about this book and won’t read the rest of the series.
August 30, 2024
His beast, an inner instinct that drove all orc-kin to fight and fuck and find a mate, rumbled possessively. Some kind of had beasts that drove them to berserker strength in battle; others had one that leant them a well of empathy and understanding of others that made them excellent healers. His had never been so strong before, not even when he’d spent years pining over Feeli.
He’d thought perhaps, as a halfling, his beast was only half, too. Half as strong or potent.
The instinct roaring in his chest felt nothing but halves. It was all snarling aggressiveness at another male warning him away from his —
The breath squeezed from Hakon’s lungs.
No. No, the beast couldn’t be right.
He just liked her and her quick mind and her smile, was all.
It… it couldn’t be more.
Rationality meant nothing to the growling thing inside him, though. A few minutes spent basking in the warmth of Lady Aislinn Darrow and the infernal instinct was ready to make declarations that were impossible.
Impossible, he told it.
Nothing’s impossible, it growled back.
Ughhhhh, I love S.E. Wendel books. The romance between halfling orc, Hakon, and Sorcha’s BFF, Lady Aislinn, is the perfect amalgamation of slow-burn romance and cozy vibes, with all the hurt/comfort a girl could ask for.
I love the representation in this book, by the way, especially with Aislinn’s neurodivergence. She has her idiosyncrasies and her challenges, but I love that Sarah never has them defining Aislinn as a character. It’s just a part of her - something she’s been shamed for for the whole of her life. She’s different. A lady heiress in a world dominated by Lords. She prefers her books and inventions (yes please and thank you, we need more women in STEM!), over the responsibilities touted on her as a result of her wayward brother’s negligence and selfishness.
Speaking of Jerrod, he’s still the worst. Yes, he makes an appearance. And no, his time in the Ward has not improved him at all. I appreciated, though, that there was more to his character than pure viciousness. He’s deeply insecure and petty, and while it’s clear by the end that he does harbor some affection for his older sister, it’s not enough to stay his hand. It never was.
But you know who sees and respects Aislinn and all of the wonderful facets that make up her personality? Hakon. Like Sarah’s other MMCs, this halfling orc is an absolute cinnamon roll. He’s come to the Darrowlands in search of purpose and perhaps even a mate, and the connection and chemistry between him and Aislinn is instantaneous.
He becomes her haven, her safe space. He sees her. He encourages her. Hakon is the best of men and I adore him. This blacksmith is an absolute gem of a character.
This is a slow-burn romance, so while there’s pining and tension interwoven in their budding friendship, the way Sarah organically deepens that bond is beautiful. Those moments of tenderness amongst the stark vulnerability were some of my absolute favorites.
I also loved (and greatly appreciated) how Sorcha and Orek were seamlessly interwoven into this book. I loved getting to spend a bit more time with them, and their interactions and relationships with our two new mains enriched the story and general character arcs.
Easily one of my favorite books Sarah has written to date. I can’t get enough of this Monstrous World and I don’t ever want to leave!
September 1, 2024
We're back in the Monstrous World, this time with a new hero and heroine: Hakon and Aislinn. Hakon is our half-orc hero: a man looking for his place in the world, only to discover it's a person, not a place, that he seeks. Aislinn, our heroine, is trying to adapt to her new role as leader. She's battling an anxiety disorder as well, and it turns out that the beast inside Hakon is the only one who can soothe the beast inside Aislinn. But he's a blacksmith. And she's set to inherit the lead role in her castle. With danger on the horizon, a cast of characters who have varied and unknown loyalties, and the weight of the world on Aislinn's shoulders, was their love meant to last, or is it destined to fail?
S.E. Wendel does it again! The GORGEOUS writing that invites you into her world from page one. The richly developed characters who, at their core, are pure goodness. The way the hero takes care of the heroine. The fact that our struggling heroine finds comfort in his arms alone. I love the idea that two people can absolutely be meant for each other. Was the spice a bit much for me? Perhaps at times, haha, but appreciated how it almost always told the story of their reverence and devotion to and for each other.
I loved seeing my favorite couple, Sorcha and Orek, from book one of the series: Halfling! The way they were interwoven into the story was EVERYTHING. I loved Wulf, Hakon's pet. The political intrigue was exciting as well. I was on the edge of my seat at times, desperate to see what would happen, and often being completely surprised in the process. I absolutely CANNOT wait for the next book in this series, set to be released November of 2024, in which we'll focus on our fae hero Allarion, who I've grown fond of already!
I'd like to thank S.E. Wendel for the e-ARC of this book! I really enjoyed participating in the her street team. All opinions expressed are my own!
Trigger warnings: flu-like disease, deceased mother (before story begins), unwanted sexual advances, anxiety/panic attacks, person experiencing uncontrollable rage
S.E. Wendel does it again! The GORGEOUS writing that invites you into her world from page one. The richly developed characters who, at their core, are pure goodness. The way the hero takes care of the heroine. The fact that our struggling heroine finds comfort in his arms alone. I love the idea that two people can absolutely be meant for each other. Was the spice a bit much for me? Perhaps at times, haha, but appreciated how it almost always told the story of their reverence and devotion to and for each other.
I loved seeing my favorite couple, Sorcha and Orek, from book one of the series: Halfling! The way they were interwoven into the story was EVERYTHING. I loved Wulf, Hakon's pet. The political intrigue was exciting as well. I was on the edge of my seat at times, desperate to see what would happen, and often being completely surprised in the process. I absolutely CANNOT wait for the next book in this series, set to be released November of 2024, in which we'll focus on our fae hero Allarion, who I've grown fond of already!
I'd like to thank S.E. Wendel for the e-ARC of this book! I really enjoyed participating in the her street team. All opinions expressed are my own!
Trigger warnings: flu-like disease, deceased mother (before story begins), unwanted sexual advances, anxiety/panic attacks, person experiencing uncontrollable rage
September 12, 2024
Ironling is a great romantic high fantasy book! It is full of political intrigue, a little bit of swords play, internal castle drama and a lot of a very beefy, very sweet half Orc cinnamon roll! It follows the story’s and shared POV’s with both the MMC in the MFC. I really love dual POV in a book because you get to understand the inner workings of both the characters and it just helps me fall in love with both of them. This is the second book in the monstrous world series.
We follow another halfling orc who is half human and half orc and wants to better his future and share his knowledge of blacksmith. He comes to work at a castle and for a young lady of the realm. Can he prove himself and show his worth? Wondering who is featured mate will be and his dreams are big! Then we fallow A beautiful young lady who is new to being an heiress, and who is shadowed, and mentally tormented by her deranged brother. Is she mentally strong enough to run her realms?
Friends to lovers with a slow burn at the beginning, but the spice once it kicks in is wonderfully placed! Nice and spicy I will tell you 😘
Will the people except the lady the heir of the lands to have a half orc mate? Will he be accepted in the political ranks of Lord and ladies? Will the king and queen allow this to happen? You’ll have to read this to find out!
Excellently written and a book that you just can’t put down. I like my fantasys
with a little more action and adventure, but if you like a lot of internal castle drama and political intrigue, this is 100% up your alley! Even though I prefer a little more out in the world adventure, this book did not disappoint! I cannot wait for the next one in the series! Definitely spicy and exciting!
4/5🌟
4/5🌶️
Enjoy my Bookish Friends and remember if you like/love book talk about it!
**** I received this book as an arc, but I can assure you all thoughts in this review are my own.
We follow another halfling orc who is half human and half orc and wants to better his future and share his knowledge of blacksmith. He comes to work at a castle and for a young lady of the realm. Can he prove himself and show his worth? Wondering who is featured mate will be and his dreams are big! Then we fallow A beautiful young lady who is new to being an heiress, and who is shadowed, and mentally tormented by her deranged brother. Is she mentally strong enough to run her realms?
Friends to lovers with a slow burn at the beginning, but the spice once it kicks in is wonderfully placed! Nice and spicy I will tell you 😘
Will the people except the lady the heir of the lands to have a half orc mate? Will he be accepted in the political ranks of Lord and ladies? Will the king and queen allow this to happen? You’ll have to read this to find out!
Excellently written and a book that you just can’t put down. I like my fantasys
with a little more action and adventure, but if you like a lot of internal castle drama and political intrigue, this is 100% up your alley! Even though I prefer a little more out in the world adventure, this book did not disappoint! I cannot wait for the next one in the series! Definitely spicy and exciting!
4/5🌟
4/5🌶️
Enjoy my Bookish Friends and remember if you like/love book talk about it!
**** I received this book as an arc, but I can assure you all thoughts in this review are my own.
September 9, 2024
”I would make you the finest crown, the brightest torque inset with these. No one would be able to look away from how you shine.”
She stared up at him, her lips parted. “I don’t shine,” she murmured.
“Oh, you do. So brightly, it burns hotter than my forge fires.”
—
Rating: 5/5
Spice: 3/5
Ironling has been such an anticipated read of mine this year and it did not disappoint. After finishing it, all I can do is stare off into the distance with a hand over my heart and sigh deeply. My eyes had not remained dry and all because of Hakon Green-Fist. Oh, what a male.
Hakon might have left his clan with a clear idea in his mind of the simple life he wanted in the Darrowlands with a mate, but the Fates had something else in store for him.
The first half of the book seemed a bit slow in pacing as Hakon and Aislinn dance around each other, and our heiress tried to officially settle into her role as the heir, but nothing felt like fillers. It showed a great development between our leads and it made me believe in their love beyond the mate pull. I am not a big fan of political intrigue but the groundwork had been laid for it since the end of Book 1 and it never overshadowed the romance. It was well woven within the story and served to take the relationship to another level.
I simply ADORE Hakon and Aislinn as individuals, and as a couple. You know when you feel so strongly about something or someone but words fail you so you just want to keyboard smash or sputter gibberish? Yeah, that is me 😭 *screams into pillow*
The epilogues completed the story so beautifully, AND I AM READY FOR ALLARION *continues to scream*
She stared up at him, her lips parted. “I don’t shine,” she murmured.
“Oh, you do. So brightly, it burns hotter than my forge fires.”
—
Rating: 5/5
Spice: 3/5
Ironling has been such an anticipated read of mine this year and it did not disappoint. After finishing it, all I can do is stare off into the distance with a hand over my heart and sigh deeply. My eyes had not remained dry and all because of Hakon Green-Fist. Oh, what a male.
Hakon might have left his clan with a clear idea in his mind of the simple life he wanted in the Darrowlands with a mate, but the Fates had something else in store for him.
The first half of the book seemed a bit slow in pacing as Hakon and Aislinn dance around each other, and our heiress tried to officially settle into her role as the heir, but nothing felt like fillers. It showed a great development between our leads and it made me believe in their love beyond the mate pull. I am not a big fan of political intrigue but the groundwork had been laid for it since the end of Book 1 and it never overshadowed the romance. It was well woven within the story and served to take the relationship to another level.
I simply ADORE Hakon and Aislinn as individuals, and as a couple. You know when you feel so strongly about something or someone but words fail you so you just want to keyboard smash or sputter gibberish? Yeah, that is me 😭 *screams into pillow*
The epilogues completed the story so beautifully, AND I AM READY FOR ALLARION *continues to scream*
July 11, 2025
✨Ironling✨
Author: SE Wendel
Release: Available now!
Series: Book 2 interconnected stand-alone in The Monstrous World
Back in Wendel-land, I find another halfling orc just begging for his story to be told! Set with mild overlapping of book 1 (Halfling), we get to follow newly appointed human heiress, Aislinn, as she tries to juggle a scheming brother, potential war, overloaded responsibilities, managing the otherlies, and a forbidden love AS WELL AS our newcomer halfling orc blacksmith, Hakon, as he is determined to find his mate… yet finds a love and a future he cannot have.
Wendel did a SUPERB job representing Aislinn’s neurodivergence and anxiety/panic in such a beautiful way. And Hakon is THE BEST at meeting what she needs. This sweet, cozy monster romance gave me so much stress in the yummiest way. I just couldn’t figure out how this was all going to work out! The court intrigue and Aislinn’s pressure was my pressure. But I loved how she stayed true to herself and soon found that it was already more than enough. And Hakon’s growth over the story was so good! I was so proud of him.
I thoroughly enjoyed this read. I’ve come to trust that Wendel will always take care of my heart and that her men are full of green flags, possessive, spicy, and protective while her ladies are so strong and compassionate even with their own flaws. The characters are just so well done.
Tropes you may find in Ironling are forced proximity, orc x human, political intrigue, higher stakes than book one, slow burn to medium spice, lots of yearning, neurodivergence rep, her soothes her panic attacks/comforts her, he gardens with her, forbidden love, and a HEA.
Ironling is out now!
Author: SE Wendel
Release: Available now!
Series: Book 2 interconnected stand-alone in The Monstrous World
Back in Wendel-land, I find another halfling orc just begging for his story to be told! Set with mild overlapping of book 1 (Halfling), we get to follow newly appointed human heiress, Aislinn, as she tries to juggle a scheming brother, potential war, overloaded responsibilities, managing the otherlies, and a forbidden love AS WELL AS our newcomer halfling orc blacksmith, Hakon, as he is determined to find his mate… yet finds a love and a future he cannot have.
Wendel did a SUPERB job representing Aislinn’s neurodivergence and anxiety/panic in such a beautiful way. And Hakon is THE BEST at meeting what she needs. This sweet, cozy monster romance gave me so much stress in the yummiest way. I just couldn’t figure out how this was all going to work out! The court intrigue and Aislinn’s pressure was my pressure. But I loved how she stayed true to herself and soon found that it was already more than enough. And Hakon’s growth over the story was so good! I was so proud of him.
I thoroughly enjoyed this read. I’ve come to trust that Wendel will always take care of my heart and that her men are full of green flags, possessive, spicy, and protective while her ladies are so strong and compassionate even with their own flaws. The characters are just so well done.
Tropes you may find in Ironling are forced proximity, orc x human, political intrigue, higher stakes than book one, slow burn to medium spice, lots of yearning, neurodivergence rep, her soothes her panic attacks/comforts her, he gardens with her, forbidden love, and a HEA.
Ironling is out now!
August 17, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book is the very definition of slow burn. Like, I’m convinced Aislinn and Hakon could have built an IKEA castle, raised goats, and knitted matching sweaters before finally admitting they liked each other. But honestly? I loved every second of it.
The yearning is top-tier. The kind where you’re reading at 2 a.m. whispering, “Please, for the love of all things holy, just hold hands.” The relationship is built up so carefully alongside the world and plot that when things finally click—oh boy, it’s fireworks.
The story itself is rich with characters, but it never felt bogged down. More like a perfectly spiced stew where every ingredient has its place (and Aislinn and Hakon are the main course, obviously). Watching them grow together was equal parts sweet, frustrating, and satisfying.
I can’t wait to dive into the rest of the series—partly for the romance, but also because I need to see what other emotional torture the author has planned for me.
This book is the very definition of slow burn. Like, I’m convinced Aislinn and Hakon could have built an IKEA castle, raised goats, and knitted matching sweaters before finally admitting they liked each other. But honestly? I loved every second of it.
The yearning is top-tier. The kind where you’re reading at 2 a.m. whispering, “Please, for the love of all things holy, just hold hands.” The relationship is built up so carefully alongside the world and plot that when things finally click—oh boy, it’s fireworks.
The story itself is rich with characters, but it never felt bogged down. More like a perfectly spiced stew where every ingredient has its place (and Aislinn and Hakon are the main course, obviously). Watching them grow together was equal parts sweet, frustrating, and satisfying.
I can’t wait to dive into the rest of the series—partly for the romance, but also because I need to see what other emotional torture the author has planned for me.
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