Orla! #1

by John Lees, Dearbhla Kelly (Colorist), Sally Cantirino (Illustrator)

Love is a monster. Orla Bard is an antique restorer, romance novel enjoyer and keen birder. She also believes in true love, continuing to navigate Seattle’s singles scene despite repeated disappointment. But Orla has a secret. She is afflicted with The Ick, a man-eating monstrous entity dwelling inside her, who violently emerges whenever she gets too angry or afraid. Unable to rid herself of this curse, Orla uses The Ick to save other women by removing the scummiest men from the dating pool…permanently. Hearts (and bodies) will be broken in this offbeat romcom/creature-feature mashup!

Kindle Edition

Published August 6, 2025

Reviews

[✩｡°⋆ Lala ⋆｡°✩ · Rating 5 out of 5]

•𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝘄•

[Orla!]
🔥 Release Date: Apr 21 2026 🔥
Thank you to the Mad Cave Studios, John Lees, and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
★★★★★

Orla! by John Lees was such an unexpectedly great read. It’s funny, a little heavy at times, hopeful, and just very real in a way that kind of creeps up on you.

I really liked how easily the story moved between humor and more emotional moments. Nothing felt overdone or dramatic, it all just felt natural. One minute I was angry, then laughing, and the next I had to pause for a second like… okay, that was a lot.

Orla is easily the heart of the book. She’s messy, genuine, and feels like someone you’d actually meet in real life. Not polished, not perfect, just very human. And yeah, I stand by it, the world would be better with more Orlas running around 😈

Overall, this was such a solid read that balances humor, romance, a little gore, and emotion really well. I’d definitely recommend it!

[RSC_Collecting · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh this was fun! When I saw that John Lees and Sally Cantirino were doing a book together, I had to grab it! This one is about Orla, a woman looking for love. She goes on dates with these awful guys. Horrible men. They all want the same thing, to get in her pants. That's when the monster inside of Orla strikes. And eats the men where they stand! "Saving other women from the shittiest men in the dating pool" as she puts it. It's cute, hilarious, and gory. I absolutely love it. Plus there's a little romantic tension coming, a strange conspiracy brewing, and a nemesis! This series is gonna be great! I can't wait for more!

[sam banach · Rating 3 out of 5]

orla eats manosphere men

[amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

a fun first issue! glad this was recommended to me, it was definitely up my alley. can't wait to pick up #2

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

omgggg

[shania · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love plot, the art, that she's plus sized, and that she kills bigots! I can't wait for issue 2!