The Ogre's Bride

by Jeanette Clarke

"I was meant to be his tribute. I became his salvation.
He was meant to be my death. He became my obsession."

When virgin tribute Elara is torn from her village and offered to the monstrous Ogre Warlord, she knows her become a plaything for savage beasts who've terrorized humans for centuries.

But Korgath Bloodstone is no mindless monster.

Nine feet of carved green granite muscle and primal power, the Warlord sees what others miss—the witch-fire burning beneath her fragile human skin. One touch ignites an inferno neither can control. One taste seals both their fates.

As Elara's forbidden magic awakens, enemies gather like vultures. Rival clans demand her death. Human kingdoms brand her traitor. Ancient laws forbid their union. But Korgath will paint the mountains red before letting anyone harm what's his.

In a brutal world where warriors claim their mates through combat and witches are burned at the stake, Elara must cling to the humanity that would see her dead, or surrender to the darkness—and the warlord who commands it.

He'll destroy kingdoms to keep her.
She'll become a monster to save him.
Together, they'll set the world ablaze.

A scorching standalone dark fantasy romance featuring a possessive alpha hero, a heroine discovering her power, extreme size differences, bloody battles, ancient magic, fated mates, and blistering intimate scenes that will leave you breathless.

Genres: Fantasy, Monster Romance

320 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 3, 2025

About the author

Jeanette Clarke is a cross-genre author writing across science fiction, fantasy, romantic comedy, psychological horror, and dark romance. Her stories range from sharp-witted, feel-good romances to intense, psychologically charged tales of obsession, survival, and morally gray love—often with a little extra heat woven in.

When she’s not writing, Jeanette travels frequently, draws inspiration from the world around her, and spends her time with her amazing husband and their wonderful pups.

Reviews

[Sydnee Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this read.
The humans to ogre dynamics was epic. They are all on stories and not really from first hand knowledge. But Korgath is an anomaly for his people. He is a closet reader and softy. Being the warlord and alpha make that side all the more honest.
Elara is a strong willed human that needs all her strength to survive in the new role she finds herself in. She is a witch and healer by nature but needs to adapt to her new position forced on her by Korgath. Being the mate to a warlord takes more than she has to begin with. She will need all her wits and the help of her rival Gorza.
This book was epic. But I wish it continued in another book cause there is so much more the author could add and finish. This was my first book by this author and I wasn’t disappointed at all. Just need more from this couple.

[Ingrid Spera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

Definitely not as dark as I was expecting. It was a bit on the grittier side, but overall a great read. I loved that our heroin wasn't some meek or weak character and she fought just as hard as he did. Overall, I thought it was a super cute and spicy book. I'll definitely be reading another!

[Dana · Rating 2 out of 5]

too many contradictions

This book started out with such promise but got worse and worse. Too many contradictions with the storyline and especially with the characters.

[Iluvbks · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be honest I did not think I would like this book. Well I was so wrong ! The characters are well built. The storyline line is not just about love but about acceptance and becoming more than you ever thought you could. It is about sacrifice and hurts. Working and training until you passout from exhaustion or blood loss.
Elara- voluntarily became a tribute or sacrifice. But she would not bend or let them break her.
A world of Orges who are brutal and large and everything is a fight. She has to be more than a mouse of a human.
Korgath- the warlord, the leader, the beast he is. Yet he loves poetry and has a softer side no one sees. And he loves Elara!
This story has moments that might upset you. There is a lot of fighting- graphic! They is a lot of love making - public and private. But this os more than a love story. It is being immersed into a Orge way of life.
She becomes more- more witch, more orge, more woman, more fighter just more.
Chapter 18 !!! Thats the best chapter . I held my breath and cried as I turned the pages.
This chapter is her ! This is what she was meant to be !!
Read this story !!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rachel’s Coffee & Rain Reads · Rating 2 out of 5]

Giving up at 60% 🥴 I had such high hopes for this book. Captive healer witch and broody violent warlord who falls hard. But nothing was executed well. There was zero chemistry between the characters. No build up. No heat. Zargeth (I think, can’t even remember lol) was fine. I didn’t hate his character, he was more like furniture I really like… didn’t leave a lasting impression but I enjoyed reading about him at the time. Elara was irritating. She didn’t toe the line between brave and stupid, she was mostly just stupid. Picking a fight with a huge orc who has already declared he hates you when your warlord protector isn’t around is beyond ridiculous. Where are this girl’s survival instincts? I understand her advice was don’t be weak but still.

The writing was lacking, very monotone with it feeling like not much happened. And so many plot inconsistencies. They start right away with Elara’s cousin clearly being 14 but then chosen as tribute when it’s mentioned 3+ times tributes are between 15-45. Like… I wasn’t even paying that much attention and I caught it. Many many more. I’m not invested in the characters enough to look past those and continue. Disappointed.

[Kasey · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 42%

I WANT TO BURN THIS BOOK the plot wasn’t even bad but oh my god WHY DID THE FMC who is the narrator BEGIN NARRATING LIKE AN OGRE??? I get the ogres have an accent or different dialect, and it was fun reading when they spoke ( I imagined they had a Russian accent, very soothing) BUT THEN OUT OF NOWHERE THE ENTIRE BOOK WAS TOLD IN BROKEN ENGLISH THAT I KNOW HAD TO BE A CONSCIOUS CHOICE BECAUSE NO WAY WAS THIS WRITTEN AND GRAMMAR ERRORS WERENT ALL OVER THIS AUTHORS SCREEN??!?!!!! I was beginning to think English wasn’t the authors first language, or maybe it was translated from a different language, but the first few chapters were perfectly fine SO WHAT WAS THAT???

Also, not a ton of chemistry between the main characters but I’m sure there was still room for that to develop BUT I WILL NEVER KNOW BECAUSE IT WAS UNREADABLE.

[Sabrina · Rating 1 out of 5]

I so much hope for this book but there is just so many inconsistencies, the scenes are too blended together-I mean, two pages apart we went through three/four days and also having the MMC come and go super convenient and the fact he can overhear everything the FMC says to his men just kinda feels so forced. Idk I hate to diss, because again, this concept sounds pretty good! But if it weren’t for the hard Hunger Games moment in the beginning, and the way the story unfolds that makes the chemistry seem a bit forced-it could’ve be great. Plus, by the time they get into it for the first time, it seems so forced and kinda out of no where. I basically reacted with shock and “oh wow okay we’re doing this” than screaming for more.
And my biggest issue- some of it seems like the work of ai and the fact the cover is made with ai doesn’t help :/

[Merrin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was kinda weird in that it could never remember the height difference between these two. It tells us in the beginning he’s NINE FEET TALL but somehow she does things like kiss his cheek when they’re standing next to each other? Is she carrying a step ladder everywhere?

Other than that immersion breaking issue it had to contend in my affections with being first person pov and not as spicy as it thinks it is. Still, cute story! I liked her winning over the rest of the ogres and learning combat and everything.

[Yare Benitez · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not what I expected

I was excited for this read. The premise had so much potential and the story started out strong but damn did it fall flat. Dialogue was EXTREMELY repetitive, certain things mentioned would contradict, chapter 7 was poorly edited (Elara’s narration sounded like an ogre talking but it doesn’t do that anywhere else). Not to mention, there wasn’t really much plot. Once she was with the ogres most of the chapters were the same. I decided to finish this book just so I could have it counted towards my book total for the year, but I really wanted to stop reading about halfway in.

[tay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I KNEW FROM THE BEGINNING THIS BOOK WAS GOING TO EAT DOWN!!!!!!! i was kicking my feet, throwing my kindle across the room, and having to keep a full water next to me. you know when almost all of your favorite tropes are in a book and everything you read is exactly what you need to read in that moment, well that was this book for me. funny enough, this is most likely one of my favorite books of the year!!!! will forever recommend this (but rlly none of my friends read monster romances but it’s whatever… their loss). i loved everything about this.

[Tedra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent but dnf

Was on the way to a 4 star read until the courtyard scene because he was jealous.
Made no freaking sense .
Stripping her naked infront of a crowd of ogres to "teach them consequences " for coveting his mate , making him blow him & then f-cking her infront of said crowd isn't teaching them shit- it's only making them want her more. Stupid scene.
Fine you want public sex in your book then just write it, don't make the mmc do a 360 & act that way and use a stupid, eye rolling excuse..
Rage quit DNF
Doubtful I'd trust anything else from this author.

[Andi Downs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second book in this short series. Given my love of the green guys, I knew I'd love this read. In this book, we meet Elara, who is sent as a 'tribute; to the local Orc war lord - Korgath. He sees her witch person and awakens her inner magic, hidden but now creating issues. There is angst, as this pair deal with the aftermath of her change and his desire to always have her. Emption and spice along their journey.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[A Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ogre's Bride is a dark fantasy romance novel with fated mates that did not disappoint. The story line was interesting and kept your attention. The characters were great. They were interesting, entertaining and had chemistry. I really enjoyed this book.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a unique take on a Orc romance, I really didn't know what to expect but this worked well and enjoyed getting to know the cast of characters. I was invested in the romance and thought it worked well overall. Jeanette Clarke has a strong writing style and am glad I got to read this.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

FANtastic read! The characters were so very appealing and complex and perfect together. Plot was intriguing, exciting and fast paced. World building was excellent and expertly drawn. All in all a great read and I highly recommend.

Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jessie James Mishell · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's not exactly easy finding books in this vein that know to balance story, and make both MCs likable. Things are hard and challenged and I loved that dynamic. Secondary characters were great as well. Wish we had an epilogue and we got to see her show her mom what a badass witch she was. Overall this hit all the spots I needed it to. Great Job.

[NEUMMAH B · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Witch

3 1/2 Stars!!! A solid good streamy fantasy romance read. I really love the growth of the FMC. I finished it in a day. Though while the premise was a good one the story became repetitive about halfway through and there were several big contradictions throughout. But still would recommend it for a steamy afternoon delight...

[Sandra Singleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love orges you need to read this book. Elara, a human is given as the bride to Korgath, an orge. The plot tells of their journey to a HEA. Can't wait for the next book.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Valerie Gibson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was was cute, fun with just the right amount of spice. Sometimes got a little repetitive but I found myself wanting to open the book again and again.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Eri Hickey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cozy and really cute. Perfect for snuggling up with some tea for the afternoon. Nothing really unique to the orc/ogre/troll genre here but it's a solid read. Only giving 4/5 because I wish she didn't spend quite so much time in the same physical spaces.

[A.M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25/5. Omg I really liked this…the only thing I would have wanted is an epilogue

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ogre's Bride
nicely done storyline, well written characters, and great connection between the characters.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kailie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like another review said, an epilogue would've been nice.

[Natasza Krajcovic · Rating 4 out of 5]

love love love

[Sarah D]

DNF at 22%.

This book has a weird vibe. Every character is cringey.

[Eleanor Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book

Thoroughly enjoyed. Great action with plenty of blood and guts but also love and acceptance, learning and joy with plenty of smut. Highly recommend

[Shelby Doss · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED. Perfect amount of world building and chaos but so romantic.

[Trinity]

4.5 🌟

First book of the new year and was pleasantly surprised.

I was not expecting this to have amazing writing nor plot but it sure did gag me.

I enjoyed the story of elara and her ogre , he was so intrigued by her and was never super aggressive.

Elara was super fun to read I enjoyed her personality and the bit of the hunger games in the beginning. No shade her volunteering in place of her cousin was cute bc I would never.

I enjoyed her and her magic , how giving she was and not a pushover. The drama in the book was good , nothing too much.

I enjoyed the somewhat dark take in this book because it wasn’t anything extreme .

I was NOT a fan of the public stuff but I let it slide bc I thoroughly enjoyed everything else!