Ctrl+Alt+Orc: Love at Labyrinth Solutions, Book 2

Love at Labyrinth Solutions #2

by M.A. Wardell, Greg Boudreaux (Narrator)

Your computer has stopped responding.







An orc will now reboot your heart.







Greg







IT is supposed to be about systems, servers, and keeping chaos at bay. But then Sean Rivers walked in—human, grumpy, and a disaster with technology. Suddenly, patching servers comes with heated glances, playful banter, and some very hands-on troubleshooting. He's got my world of logic and code crashing spectacularly… and I wouldn't have it any other way.







Sean







I didn't sign up to be anyone's project—least of all a hulking, ridiculously cheerful orc who could lift me like a sack of flour. Yet here I am, navigating magical office chaos, endless forms, and Greg's relentless charm. Between the flirty teasing, stolen touches, and squirting candies, a chemistry bubbles I can't ignore. Maybe some problems can't be solved on my own… but I never expected help from a nerdy orc with thick black glasses and shoulders that won't quit.







Ctrl+Alt+Orc is the second book in the Love at Labyrinth Solutions series featuring a grumpy human/sunshine orc, lots of workplace humor and plenty of spice.

Genres: Romance, Audiobook, M M Romance, Fantasy, LGBT, Monster Romance, Workplace Romance

Audible Audio

Published July 20, 2026

About the author

I write steamy queer romance and romantic comedies. My goal is to make you laugh and turn you on. Often at the same time.

Reviews

[martina (the life of a chaotic reader)]

for whatever obscure reason i’m choosing peace today and going with a very diplomatic: it’s not the book, it’s me.

(i could’ve also said “boring as hell, 2 stars”, but let’s give this new being nice thing a try.)
(i’m already tired of it)

editing this for my future (dumb) self: i thought i liked the first book, since i rated it 4 stars.
HOWEVER I TOOK VERY STRONG SLEEPING PILLS THAT WEEK AND I DIDNT REMEMBER ANYTHING ABOUT THE BOOK BUT I SLEPT SO GOOD SO I GAVE IT FOUR STARS.
so, future martina, do NOT look at the stars, look at me. DO NOT pick up this author again. (unless you desperately need to sleep.)

[Lily Suzanne]

This was very cute. I would rate the story more as 3.5 stars just because there isn’t much going on besides sex and computer puns but it is a fun and quick read so I’m rounding it up to 4 stars!

I think the first book in this series had a bit more of a plot while this one is more sex. But it’s sex with feelings and finding your mate. I just think there could’ve been more involved. Sean has a sister he’s taking care of and she’s mentioned but I would’ve liked to see them together and see their dynamic. Greg is an orc and he’s green and big and c*ms a lot. Oh, and he’s a computer nerd. That’s basically all we get. I would’ve liked to know more about him and what being an orc in this fun world entailed. But I don’t think that was the authors intention. These books are lighthearted and that’s what you get.

ARC received for review
All thoughts and opinions are my own

[Alyssa]

If you are looking for a read that is equal parts comforting and steamy, then this is an absolute must read!
I am relatively new to monster romances, but this series has quickly become an all-time favorite of mine. The workplace/office romance setting is so much fun. The pacing keeps you hooked from the very first page but the tension is also so perfect. I really enjoy read about how two people are trying so hard to be professional but they chemistry is undeniable. What makes this book so good is how it balances being sweet, cozy, and comforting with some seriously great spice.
The main characters are fantastic, and their dynamic is just so fun to read. The story is engaging, the vibe is vibing, and it is overall just an enjoyable escape. I cannot recommend this book and this series enough!
My only gripe is at the end even though the story is complete, I want more!! Is it just me?

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

[Ayla Shoulders]

SHUT UP! THIS WAS ADORABLE. Ctrl+Alt+ Orc has been my feel good book of the year! Sean and Greg are two of the most ridiculously sweet Teddy-Bear-Cinnamon-Roll-Golden-Retriever sweet little babies I have ever read about. OMG. I love them.

Greg is the big, green Orc IT guy with slutty little glasses, pierced nipples and a big fat *horned* cock - Like, damn, Daddy 👀 Right?! He has the biggest fucking heart (and an even bigger dick. Okay okay, I’ll stop talking about his dick.) But, for real 🥵 He’s just so perfect and you will instantly fall in love with the big guy. The way he cares for Sean just gives you the warm and fuzzies!

Sean is the human new hire at Labyrinth Solutions with a massive “Good Boy” praise kink and a belly I just can’t get enough of. I’m here for it 🙌🏼 He was the -slightly- grumpy to Greg’s sunshine. He spends his life taking care of his sister and making sure she has everything… I just wanted someone to swoop in and take care of him for a change. - Insert Greg - riding in on his white horse, waffle iron in hand!

This book is full of sweet moments, lots of love, good food, vulnerable confessions, soulmates, beautifully vers MC’s and enough cum to fill an Olympic sized swimming pool! So, obviously you don’t wanna miss out of this one!


Thank you Gay Romance Reviews for the opportunity to read and review and eARC of Ctrl+Alt+ Orc!

[labibliofille]

Ctrl+Alt+Orc was a super fun, sweet, monster x human office romcom. I had a great time with this one! Sean is grumpy, but he's got a lot on his plate and it all makes sense - trust me, give him some slack and he'll warm up! Greg is just the sweetest and has silly IT dad jokes sprinkled throughout the book. Don't get me started on the IT glithes - they were SO funny! (Mostly because they were happening to Sean, not me, but it felt like the system(s) were sentient and working overtime to bring these to MMCs together!)

[Lori]

3.75 stars

[Ahren McNamara]

Got to beta read this book and yall are going to LOVE this one. I just adore office romances (not irl, ew) and Greg is top tier book boyfriend material! Sean is no slouch either as our resident grump turned softie. I laughed so hard, Matt really outdid himself with the humor in this one! Don’t worry it still has buckets of cum 😂

[Britt]

Book 2 in the Love at Labyrinth Solutions continued to deliver a bunch of heart, heat, and loveable monsters!!

I loved how sweet our gigantic orc was. He was a cheerful, nerdy orc who definitely wanted to help anyone he could, especially his mate. I loved how when he realized that Sean was a little skittish, he noted that he would not rush him and would take his friendship over nothing if that’s how it had to be. I found him absolutely adorable and loveable.

And then we had Sean. I loved how he was so used to taking care of everyone else, but he finally allowed himself to be the one taken care of. I loved his snark and how he overthought everything because that was incredibly relatable! I also appreciated the body rep we got with his character. A little short, a little round, a little hairy, but wholly realistic and loveable.

As per usual in this series, we got a ton of spice!! I loved all the encounters and all the different kinks presented in the book. M.A. Wardell is really a master of creating a story that is both adorable and spicy.

I really enjoyed seeing Jamie as much as we did. His banter with Jack was absolutely perfection and it’s making me want my Jack book that much more!! I can’t wait for all the other stories to come in this series!

Thank you M.A. Wardell for the eARC! The thoughts and opinions expressed above are honest and my own.

4.25 stars!

[Mikaela (risqué.romance)]

‼️SPOILERS‼️

I read the first book in this series and just knew I was going to have an amazing time with these two so much. I love the buildup so much with these two.

Sean and Greg were just so adorable in this book. Greg was such a sunshine and in the beginning, Sean was a grump. Greg definitely turns that around.

When Sean gets scared for a moment, Greg is right there. I also love that we get the mention of Sean having a sister.

I love how we get the mentions of previous characters from the first book. I laughed at the commentary with Sean and Amara.

This book is full of sweetness and you definitely do get some funny moments. I really loved how Greg claimed him in front of everyone. I stealer out of joy with these two.

I cannot wait to see what’s next in this fun series.

I received a copy of this book and this is my honest review.

[Trinity]

ARC Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 🌶🌶🌶/5

TW - death of a parent (past, mentioned), grief (briefly mentioned), alcohol consumption

CW - hyperspermia

Tropes - paranormal, monster x human, size difference, workplace romcom, grumpy x sunshine

Representation - queer rep, MM

Sean (MMC) and Greg (MMC) meet when Sean starts a new job and runs into some IT problems, all solved by you’re truly.

The MCs were sweet and Greg truly was a gentle giant who was always there when Sean needed support. My head cannon is that Greg was causing the IT problems just to be around Sean 💀

Scale:
⭐️ - would've DNF'ed / continued out of spite
⭐️⭐️ - shit, but whatever
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - meh, could've been better
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - lit 👅
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - loved it, inject this shit into my veins 🤪

🫑 - no smut
🌶 - no point
🌶🌶 - mediocre at best
🌶🌶🌶 - standard smut, hot
🌶🌶🌶🌶 - 🥵 okay, some CW
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 - fuck me 🥵🥵 CWs / filthy with a side of filth - see Poison / Room Twenty-Two: Hide and Seek/ The Naughty List / The Naughtier List / By Command Alone: Book 1 of the Kinky ABC Anthology

TW/CW not to be repurposed by authors / publishers for website / book / content use without permission

[GiveMeBooksOrGiveMeDeath]

I have been so excited to read Sean and Greg’s story. This book was sweet and extra spicy. Sean is such a little cutie with his short stature and grumpy attitude while looking like a cherub. Greg is a mountain of a orc and just as sweet with a heart to match. He is immediately drawn to Sean and finds constant reasons to see him at work. Sean thinks his computer is cursed because it is constantly breaking down, but he’s not too upset about it because he gets to see his hunky IT guy come fix it. Late nights at the office lead to more when these two start getting closer. And when they finally decide to give in things get really spicy and very messy thanks to Greg’s *ahem* abilities if you catch my drift. Which does not deter Sean. In fact he is all for it. It’s obvious they were made for each other, but Sean takes a little longer to come to that conclusion because he has some anxiety, but Greg does not let that deter him from wooing the pants off of him, figuratively and literally. And I loved every minute of it. There are so many sweet moments, especially Greg making them waffles for breakfast. (side note, this made me crave waffles so bad you don’t even know). Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I cannot wait for the next one.

Tropes: Orc x Human, Size Difference, Office Romance, Fun Piercings, “we’re going to need a tarp”, Fated Mates, Waffles Of Love

Story 5/5
Spice 4/5

[Ash]

⭐️ARC REVIW⭐️ (4.5⭐️)
This is possibly the lowest angst workplace romance I have ever read and it was exactly the right vibes for what I was needing! These two check all the boxes, size difference, husky men, grump x sunshine, buckets of fun (hehehe) and overall great communication that made this feel like I was floating down a lazy river, some twists and turns but the at the end just a beautifully written story with so much heart and sweetness. I enjoyed the nerdiness and silly jokes that really brought so much humor to Sean and Greg.

My only issue was I wanted more conversations between our two MMC’s, it felt like there were some moments I felt could have been given more dialogue and less description of what that conversation was - if that makes sense.

[Julia Toth]

This was adorable, sweet and fun! I really enjoyed Sean and Greg's story and how they got their happily ever after. I loved all of the computer puns and laughed quite a bit. I loved the vibes at Labyrinth Solutions and how nosy and observant some coworkers were. Greg and Sean were so cute and sweet. I loved how gentle and caring Greg was and how he stepped up to take care of Sean, who had to be strong and do a lot up until now. I loved how they made each other feel better and showed each other the love they thought they would never have.

This was a fun, lighthearted and quick read and I really enjoyed it. Read this for orcs and other beings, office/server room shenanigans and a tender, caretaking Orc and a grumpy, guarded human.

[Taylor Jefferson]

3.5

I like to imagine there is at least one HR employee at this company who is on the verge of a nervous breakdown because of how much the employees are fratranizing. Her name is Cindy and she needs a shot of whiskey in her coffee just to deal.

Fluffy, sweet and super spicy with a smattering of IT puns. A perfect low angst read with two people (ones an orc, but you get it) who choose to overcome their fears and bet on love.

[Jason]

I LOVED this book. CTRL ALT ORC was so perfectly nerdy and Sean and Greg were adorable! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. Cannot wait for more from M A Wardell in this series!

[Marcos “MSMDragon”]

I am obsessed with this story! That might have something to do with the fact that I’m into orcs, but who knows. 😂 Sean and Greg were fantastic in this quick, low-angst, monster romance! The romance was sweet and the spice was just right!! And while Sean is hot in his own ways, it’s Greg that made me absolutely feral while reading this book! 😂

[Frida]

3.5⭐️ Again do it on audio!

This was another ridiculously cute, low-angst addition to the series, although I liked it slightly less than Meetings with the Minotaur. Greg and Sean are basically grumpy human.exe meets sunshine orc.exe, and Greg might be one of the least traditionally orc-ish orcs imaginable. He’s a giant green IT nerd with glasses, kinda a dad-type, a phone clipped to his belt, an emotional-support candy supply, a love of video games, and an almost pathological need to fix things for people. And I loved that.

The entire IT setup also tickled a very specific part of my brain because this occasionally felt like The IT Crowd wandered into a monster romance. Computers inexplicably stop working. Printers are treated like enemies. Greg genuinely deploys the sacred IT ritual of turning something off and back on again. The geeky puns are relentless, increasingly stupid, and unfortunately extremely effective on me.😂 Yeah I know I'm easy to please these days...

The romance itself is very sweet. Greg quietly showing up whenever Sean needs him, fixing things before Sean even realises they need fixing, feeding him, worrying about him and generally being a giant green service-oriented golden retriever worked ridiculously well. Sean is pricklier and more guarded, so their dynamic has that lovely little grumpy/sunshine contrast without turning either of them into a caricature. Underneath all the jokes, there’s also something genuinely lovely about Greg worrying that the nerdy IT guy in the corner might simply be too weird for anyone to really see and then finding someone who very much does. And Sean and his bond with his sister was very precious!

It does, however, run on a fairly basic operating system. The story is predictable, some of the jokes also get recycled one or six times too often.

But this series understands its assignment. Cute monster boyfriends all over the place, smuttastic smut, and great audio narration.

[ErikaWasReading]

Oh, how I adore Greg and Sean!

I knew I was going to love this novel when I read this section of the author's note: "I kept wondering: what if the orc was the soft one? What if he was kind, thoughtful, a little awkward, and deeply invested in doing the right thing?"

CTRL+ALT+ORC is a delightfully fluffy, cozy romance. There is something just absolutely lovely about a giant Orc who is like, I like you, and I'm going to care about you, paired with a grumpy human who is like, fine, I'm not going to get in my own way. It's like pulling on your favorite oversized hoodie and fuzzy socks, then cuddling up under the softest blanket.

We are also treated to MA Wardell's signature blend of heartfelt moments, laugh-out-loud lines, and steamy, steamy scenes where the energy is "I want him to plow me like a snow-covered street."

While the story is low-angst, it is infinitely relatable. Even though Sean starts crushing hard in chapter one, his initial hesitation feels very natural. There is the pressure of starting a new job, while he adjusts to life's changes. And while he is definitely crushing on the IT guy, it makes sense that he worries about his new boss being the head of Beings Relations, and he questions whether this super-hot guy really likes him.

I love that CTRL+ALT+ORC focuses on Sean and Greg as they explore their connection and fall in love.

---
I received an advance copy of this book at no charge. This is my honest, voluntary review.

[Zahra (Bookish_Platypus)]

These two were the SWEETEST. I'm talking candy, syrup, cinnamon rolls SWEET. And I loved them sooo much for it.

While technically there were some small stakes in this story with this being a workplace romance, something about the easiness and simplicity of them felt very low-stakes. Their romance was like a warm cup of coffee in the morning - cozy and perfect and just right. May this love find us all.

I loved the way the Fated Mates is woven into this story because you can see the ways it's playing its role by making them drawn to and aware of each other, but it wasn't this big, dramatic force either. It just gave them both the nudges they needed to fall for one another. They had such a good balance of hot and sweet with each other too. *Queue a whole bunch of varied spicy scenes to keep us entertained* *And then follow it up with domestic cuteness and a waffle maker*

There isn't a whole lot of plot in this story, it's really just about these two guys finding love in an office building. Honestly I couldn't get enough of how precious they were. It's a perfect, afternoon read.

Thank you to the author for the advanced copy!

[Sasha]

This is a super cute, short, low-angst office romance. I thought Greg was wonderful and loved his quiet determination to win Sean over.

The banter was cute, the puns endearing, and I love the little workplace ecosystem that MA Wardell has created with this series.

Not a perfect rating because there were a couple of things that took me out - I found Sean’s motivations a bit confusing at times and (I hate to say it, but) there was a crazy overuse of the phrase “good boy”.

All that said, I absolutely had a good time reading this and I’ll definitely pick up the next one.

⭐ 3.75/5

[Anya]

Greg and Sean were so freaking adorable! I absolutely loved everything about their story! I always love coming back into this world, I can’t wait for the next book in the series!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

[Randinicole_reads]

4.25 ⭐️
so hot

cute & spicy

[Meliss]

Actual rating: 2.5 stars

I'm a bit bummed that I didn't like this one more. I really enjoyed the first book, but this was just lackluster.

[Amanda]

A fun low angst , high steam rom com between an adorble geeky IT Orc and the new human in the office . Sweet, spicy, and an abundance of puns 😂

[Tori (torturousreads)]

I love Greg and Sean 🥺 This grumpy human and sweet orc compliment each other so well! They are able to have open communication, consent, and really hot s*x. Greg is a large orc (in more ways than one 😉) that needs a c*m tarp, has pierced nipples, and is obsessed with Sean. Sean is a grumpy human that is just trying to find his place in life and that place happens to be on top of and under a giant, happy orc. So thrilled with this latest addition to the Love at Labyrinth Solutions series.

You can expect:
-Workplace romance
-Grumpy human x sunshine orc
-Fated mates
-Squirting candies
-Needs a tarp for all the c*m
-Verse couple
-Tech guru x useless w/ tech

🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

[Just_wanttoread]

I picked this up as a funny, sweet romance but it wasn’t a hit for me though I can see why other people have loved it. It’s an incredibly lighthearted, cute romance with lots of IT puns and kooky side characters which will appeal to many.

I found the storyline a bit dull, nothing really happens - it’s basically a workplace romance monster porn. I would have loved some more time spent on their characters and building relationship, Greg is an orc but that doesn’t really come into the story (other than his size) and it would have been fun to see more about this and his family.

Thanks to GRR for the arc.

[Crex]

I needed something lightheaded after reading a traumatizing book and I got it,
"Soft romance and spicy 🥵 .. I ate it up
Grey & Sean are really cute..

[Alex Lachapelle]

Thank you to the author for this advance reader copy!

I’m really becoming of a fan of those Monster Romance especially if it’s written by M. A. Wardell.

I’ll start this by saying that I love Greg, he’s such a fun and cute character. I love that he doesn’t fit into the stereotypes we could have of the strong masculine orc. He is nerdy, he is sweet, he cares and he is so loving.

Sean is our grumpy funny character that compliment so well with Greg.

I loved seeing their story unfolds in this book. The spicy scenes were also so HOT but after reading Meeting with the Minotaur, I expected that.

I really don’t have anything bad to say about this book.

[Lili]

I just knew I was going to love this just looking at the cover, and because I was obsessed with Meetings with the Minotaur!

First off, I loved that we see everyone from the last book in this. I mean, ofc they work at the same company, but still. Then I loved both Sean and Greg; the banter between them was light but cute. Greg, our orc, is super sweet and bubbly. Sean, our human, is a total grump, but put him with Greg, and his walls come down, and he shows a bit softer side.

Also, I love their reactions to each other. It was like seeing someone having their first crush. The blushing, the distracted minds, note-keeping, candy sharing, deep conversations, etc, just creaking cute.

Then, just like in book one, there's a LOT of stuff to clean up in this one too lol. A lot!👀

Anyway, getting back on track, I thought this was cute, and I absolutely loved it.

[allemuor]

I think most people wish for this. When things get good and one starts to chicken out, the other perseveres and stay, not letting his partner push him away. It is the highlight of the book for me. I enjoyed at the tech lingo banter and the rest of their chemistry.
I received an advanced readers copy and am giving my honest review.