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Mistaken #1
Mistaken
A few years earlier there had been an invasion. Hordes of tall, grey aliens with tusks arrived in spaceships as big as cities. Before all the news went dark, humans named the creatures orcs. The human armies had fought and failed. War crimes were committed on both sides. Eventually, society collapsed and the government was overthrown when food supplies failed. The humans turned on each other. Nowhere was safe. The orcs had rounded up the surviviors and locked them away in refugee camps. In the fullness of time, some women had little grey babies.
Kari had watched the screaming and cursing woman give birth to Max in the field that had been converted to a prison. Afterwards the woman shakily got to her feet and left him there, as he cried. He was going to die alone, unwanted. Even if he was only half human and Kari was living as a conquered species in one of the many refugee camps on earth, none of that was his fault. He was just a baby. She couldn’t bring herself to leave him there, so Kari adopted him.
Max wasn’t the only grey child in the place. Kari and the others raising grey children had formed their own family group. Eventually that got them noticed. Suddenly all the kids were assigned an orc father and taken from the camp where they had been living. This asshole may be the official father, but, as far as Kari is concerned, if he thinks that means he's part of their family, he is mistaken.
One way or another, Kari has to figure out how to make this work. Her son needs her to keep him safe. When part of her extended family is brought to her new home, she has a couple of allies. Kari slowly starts to understand that the orcs maybe aren’t as monstrous as they seem. She will have to face her past and come to terms with her new reality before she can face her future.
Kari had watched the screaming and cursing woman give birth to Max in the field that had been converted to a prison. Afterwards the woman shakily got to her feet and left him there, as he cried. He was going to die alone, unwanted. Even if he was only half human and Kari was living as a conquered species in one of the many refugee camps on earth, none of that was his fault. He was just a baby. She couldn’t bring herself to leave him there, so Kari adopted him.
Max wasn’t the only grey child in the place. Kari and the others raising grey children had formed their own family group. Eventually that got them noticed. Suddenly all the kids were assigned an orc father and taken from the camp where they had been living. This asshole may be the official father, but, as far as Kari is concerned, if he thinks that means he's part of their family, he is mistaken.
One way or another, Kari has to figure out how to make this work. Her son needs her to keep him safe. When part of her extended family is brought to her new home, she has a couple of allies. Kari slowly starts to understand that the orcs maybe aren’t as monstrous as they seem. She will have to face her past and come to terms with her new reality before she can face her future.
223 pages, ebook
First published June 19, 2020
335 people are currently reading
451 people want to read
About the author
Pixie Unger
5 books128 followersI'm a socially awkward knitter, dog mom and professional paper pusher.
But! I will absolutely answer questions if you have any.
But! I will absolutely answer questions if you have any.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 277 reviews
December 14, 2024
This didn’t work for me on any level and I’m so disappointed as I was really looking forward to it. I do have a soft spot for Orcs and the initial premise with this one did sound really different and unique. Unfortunately, this didn’t deliver and forget slow -burn (which I have nothing against) this was actually a no-burn. There was no chemistry between Kari and Bear and I was internally cringing throughout every intimate interaction they had and there really wasn’t that many of them either. To top this off there relationship wasn’t even consummated which I’m a bit bummed about if I’m being honest.
I get that we were dealing with a deep subject here but I picked this one up expecting a romance it’s advertised as a romance. It definitely didn’t feel like one and it’s so far from romance it’s ridiculous. If I had to categorise it well, I’m not sure where I’d put it actually. It’s basically Kari recovering from her own ordeal or PTSD caused by the war between men and these space-Orcs. This trauma to her was caused by human men, not Orcs so I struggled to understand why she was more afraid of the Orcs than of her own species.
She also still had human friends despite this trauma so that actually says more about Kari and her own prejudices.and yes, of course, it’s upsetting and triggering, but I didn’t sign up for that. I wouldn’t have picked this up based on that information what I actually expected from this was something far different.
So this takes place a few years after this war and Kari has been living in a refugee camp with her adopted half Orc son Max.Taken out of this camp she gets to choose an Orc to help raise her son and become her mate. So Kari has practically no warm feelings for Bear whatsoever no matter what the poor Orc did. She never looked beyond her own fears or tried to see him as anything other than a scary monster even when his actions towards her were screaming otherwise.
I never felt that she felt any great passion or love for Bear it felt like he was her meal ticket and protection rolled into one and that’s why she was keeping him around that and she was just used to him. I never felt she was interested in him in any way sexually, in fact, the opposite was true she even described her skin as crawling when he was stroking her back trying to comfort her, charming. Even when she later decided she must love him it was just so anti-climatic. Worst declaration of affection I have ever witnessed in a supposed romance novel.
Bear really was such a sweetheart throughout this never intentionally hurting Kari. I mean initially, he was a little heavy-handed mostly just based on ignorance, not any actual malice intended on his part and once he realised the need for gentleness on account of him just being naturally stronger he adjusted his behaviour accordingly. He, In fact, worshipped the ground she walked on and Kari seemed to use this fact to her advantage constantly. She was also a crying neurotic mess and it was starting to grate on me.I went in expecting a hot alien Orc-Human romance and this is not what I got.
On top of that, this was at times difficult to follow and the flow just felt off. Huge chunks of time would pass with just a few sentences which is another pet hate of mine. Also, the conversations themselves were confusing and the world-building here felt non-existent. There were explanations but it was just the bare bones with no inner-filling and there were so many unanswered questions. What happened to Rita? Why did the human doctor suddenly have a personality transplant? I had so many of these little niggles and questions.
I found this monotonous and confusing and it failed to capture my attention nothing important ever seemed to happen except Kari internalising everything. Also, the Orcs became far too human and very swiftly at that.There names and actions and even their sayings: in fact the only thing alien remaining was their appearance. I also didn’t like how they completely deferred to the woman acting like complete doormats and basing every aspect of their lives on their mate's happiness even over their own they were just too nice. I like a dominant male and these Orcs were not that and as much as Bear was a complete poppet he was also a totally whipped one as well. Such a shame that all that hot hunky Orc potential was wasted here I’m actually distraught.
I do feel awful rating this one so low but it just wasn’t for me at all and Kari was just so selfish and self-absorbed I really felt sorry for Bear being stuck with her as a mate. Plenty more have loved this I’m just not one of them, unfortunately.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com
March 3, 2021
Audio 5 Stars
Story 1 I should have DNF Star 😤
I enjoyed the first half of the book, but then the heroine started to annoy me. I get she had a traumatic past, but Bear accommodated her in every way. Yet, she never seemed to stop crying, being scared, and judgmental. Overall, I felt she took Bear for granted and stayed in her head of misery.
Another cliche MF sci-fi where the hero is expected to kowtow to the annoying little female human's every whim.🙄
Story 1 I should have DNF Star 😤
I enjoyed the first half of the book, but then the heroine started to annoy me. I get she had a traumatic past, but Bear accommodated her in every way. Yet, she never seemed to stop crying, being scared, and judgmental. Overall, I felt she took Bear for granted and stayed in her head of misery.
Another cliche MF sci-fi where the hero is expected to kowtow to the annoying little female human's every whim.🙄
July 5, 2020
4 Stars
CW: sexual abuse survivor/PTSD
I really, really liked this, but I needed more relationship development to truly love it. The story focuses heavily on the healing journey of the female MC and, while part of that journey involves romance, a larger part involves her very personal recovery from past traumas.
I adored seeing many of my favorite tropes: gentle giant, found/chosen families, lgbtq rep, hurt/comfort,...I just wanted to see these elements developed a little more.
And the baby orcs--totally adorable cuddle sweethearts! Oooh, and those sweet and gentle moments between Bear and Kari...(the acorn pendant!--my heart melted). Bear is truly a gentle giant, and watching him pining for Kari and yearning for her so deeply, made me want to see just a little more affection offered in return from Kari.
Even though the ending was abrupt, I am still 100% rooting for Kari, Bear, and their large extended family. I would love to read more from this world...dear author, a sequel perhaps?????
CW: sexual abuse survivor/PTSD
I really, really liked this, but I needed more relationship development to truly love it. The story focuses heavily on the healing journey of the female MC and, while part of that journey involves romance, a larger part involves her very personal recovery from past traumas.
I adored seeing many of my favorite tropes: gentle giant, found/chosen families, lgbtq rep, hurt/comfort,...I just wanted to see these elements developed a little more.
And the baby orcs--totally adorable cuddle sweethearts! Oooh, and those sweet and gentle moments between Bear and Kari...(the acorn pendant!--my heart melted). Bear is truly a gentle giant, and watching him pining for Kari and yearning for her so deeply, made me want to see just a little more affection offered in return from Kari.
Even though the ending was abrupt, I am still 100% rooting for Kari, Bear, and their large extended family. I would love to read more from this world...dear author, a sequel perhaps?????
July 21, 2020
This story was actually pretty good. I'm surprised more people haven't discovered this one yet. Must be the cover--it's misleading. I loved the direction and progression of the plot. It was not rushed. Quite a refreshing post-apocalyptic sci-fi romance story. I hope there is more to Bear and Kari's story.
July 23, 2020
Worst ending and let down ever.
What an absolute disappointment. The entire book is building up to trust and her getting over her fears enough to engage in intimacy and the book ends with her still saying “I don’t know what I want” and never consummating her relationship with Bear. What sort of BS let down is that?
She essentially uses him, drags him along with all her emotional ups and downs, she’s always completely obsessed with herself and she gets him to give her things while she never reciprocates.
If there was a way to give zero stars, I would. This doesn’t even deserve one star. I’m returning this trash for a complete refund. I’m so angry I spent hours on this book only to have it end the way it did.
What an absolute disappointment. The entire book is building up to trust and her getting over her fears enough to engage in intimacy and the book ends with her still saying “I don’t know what I want” and never consummating her relationship with Bear. What sort of BS let down is that?
She essentially uses him, drags him along with all her emotional ups and downs, she’s always completely obsessed with herself and she gets him to give her things while she never reciprocates.
If there was a way to give zero stars, I would. This doesn’t even deserve one star. I’m returning this trash for a complete refund. I’m so angry I spent hours on this book only to have it end the way it did.
March 26, 2021
Edit on 26 March, 2021: I wanted to put a note on the top of my review that, based on the 1 and 2 star reviews, there is a misconception that this work is a romance novel: it's not and never was listed in any romance categories. Where that idea came from is beyond me, but it's really obvious early on this isn't a romance read. It is a first contact story that explores healing after long-term trauma. If you need a romance to read, this isn't it.
Real rating: 4.5 stars
CW/TW: PTSD, discussion of rapes/sexual slavery, punitive rape
The first couple chapters of this book are a bit awkward prose-wise, but after, it settled in and I did too. I'm so glad I did; this is a gem of a sweet and heart-wrenching story, so full of unexpected sweetness.
If you read the forward by the author, yes, this is a story about dealing with PTSD related to war, sexual trauma, and enslavement/captivity. There is some sexual contact in this book, but no PIV intercourse happens during it. This isn't an erotic work, despite being so centered around sex. It's an exploration of trauma and how one might work through it to try and rebuild her life and accept her entire world shifting underneath her feet.
The setting of this book is a dystopian not-too-distant future Earth, where an orc-like race of aliens has come and...well, it seems a lot of terrible things happened in the 3-5 years since they arrived. We're not privy to exactly how things started, how they escalated, or any of that information, only the devastating situation humanity finds itself in. What we do know is that many people are dead, cities were razed and emptied, and the survivors are being kept in what are basically concentration camps, slowly starving to death. And many of the women are birthing half-orc boys. It takes a while to get more of Kari's full story, which leaves a lot open at times to interpretation and conjecture, but it's worth the journey to get there.
We open with a petrified Kari's trying to understand why her adopted son was taken from her and thinking she's supposed to pick an orc father to be assigned to him—only to discover she's picking a mate for herself. Just point and pick. When little Max picks a huge tattoo-covered male, Kari...doesn't take it well, to put it mildly. What follows is a long journey toward learning to understand, how to listen, help, and care, how to blend two cultures together when one was conquered and still resisting when it can, and how to reclaim oneself when it was stolen from her. While the orc-alien culture's masculinity is very toxic in nature, not all of the males are. Bear and his understanding of consent and ability to change and care made me so very, VERY happy. He's in the running for Best Boy 2020. Throw in people from different cultures and parts of the globe, LGBTQIA secondary characters, non-conventional families, and a refreshing lack of romance's tropes/dramas, and you have one happy reader over here. This is the first book I've inhaled in months. I just had to keep reading to see where we were going next.
This story is so, so good, and I like where it left off. I'm wishing that all the good things happen for Kari and her Bear. (And their gaggle of boys, too!)
Thank you, Ms. Unger, for sharing this story with us.
Real rating: 4.5 stars
CW/TW: PTSD, discussion of rapes/sexual slavery, punitive rape
The first couple chapters of this book are a bit awkward prose-wise, but after, it settled in and I did too. I'm so glad I did; this is a gem of a sweet and heart-wrenching story, so full of unexpected sweetness.
If you read the forward by the author, yes, this is a story about dealing with PTSD related to war, sexual trauma, and enslavement/captivity. There is some sexual contact in this book, but no PIV intercourse happens during it. This isn't an erotic work, despite being so centered around sex. It's an exploration of trauma and how one might work through it to try and rebuild her life and accept her entire world shifting underneath her feet.
The setting of this book is a dystopian not-too-distant future Earth, where an orc-like race of aliens has come and...well, it seems a lot of terrible things happened in the 3-5 years since they arrived. We're not privy to exactly how things started, how they escalated, or any of that information, only the devastating situation humanity finds itself in. What we do know is that many people are dead, cities were razed and emptied, and the survivors are being kept in what are basically concentration camps, slowly starving to death. And many of the women are birthing half-orc boys. It takes a while to get more of Kari's full story, which leaves a lot open at times to interpretation and conjecture, but it's worth the journey to get there.
We open with a petrified Kari's trying to understand why her adopted son was taken from her and thinking she's supposed to pick an orc father to be assigned to him—only to discover she's picking a mate for herself. Just point and pick. When little Max picks a huge tattoo-covered male, Kari...doesn't take it well, to put it mildly. What follows is a long journey toward learning to understand, how to listen, help, and care, how to blend two cultures together when one was conquered and still resisting when it can, and how to reclaim oneself when it was stolen from her. While the orc-alien culture's masculinity is very toxic in nature, not all of the males are. Bear and his understanding of consent and ability to change and care made me so very, VERY happy. He's in the running for Best Boy 2020. Throw in people from different cultures and parts of the globe, LGBTQIA secondary characters, non-conventional families, and a refreshing lack of romance's tropes/dramas, and you have one happy reader over here. This is the first book I've inhaled in months. I just had to keep reading to see where we were going next.
This story is so, so good, and I like where it left off. I'm wishing that all the good things happen for Kari and her Bear. (And their gaggle of boys, too!)
Thank you, Ms. Unger, for sharing this story with us.
August 13, 2020
Wow.....what the hell?!!
I was sucked in to Kari and Bear's story. I felt her terrible abusive past and how it haunted her and kept her from moving forward. Bear was so patient and loving, giving her everything she wanted. He was always there for her, someone to rely on, even if it was against him and what he wanted. Bear even went and asked the Orc council to let Kari choose another if that would make her happy, because he loved her and only wanted her to be happy.
I mean we are taken through a year and a half of Kari waffling and whining how she loves Bear but doesn't know what she wants, and holding Bear at arms length. Poor guy was so happy just to cuddle Kari and touch her back at night he's jizzing in his pants. I was tired of hearing Kari's same old excuses over and over when Bear has bent over backwards to put NO pressure on her what so ever and she won't let go of the past (by the way her abuse came at the hands of humans not the orcs, just saying) and give Bear a real chance.
Anyway I was putting up with all this because we were finally getting to her starting to make steps towards their future and opening up to loving Bear. I am so excited to see Bear finally get his happy ending....pun completely intended lol, and wham, bam, no thank you ma'am, it's over. NO ending, NO resolution. Everything left hanging in the air, I feel swindled.
That ending left me wanted to punch Kari in the face and feeling so sorry for Bear. Maybe there will be another book that will give us something, anything, an epilogue for God's sake. I don't know how to rate this, I actually really enjoyed this, thinking I was gonna get a different ending. I thought it was kinda long especially since it is basically left unfinished.
Take of that what you will.
I was sucked in to Kari and Bear's story. I felt her terrible abusive past and how it haunted her and kept her from moving forward. Bear was so patient and loving, giving her everything she wanted. He was always there for her, someone to rely on, even if it was against him and what he wanted. Bear even went and asked the Orc council to let Kari choose another if that would make her happy, because he loved her and only wanted her to be happy.
I mean we are taken through a year and a half of Kari waffling and whining how she loves Bear but doesn't know what she wants, and holding Bear at arms length. Poor guy was so happy just to cuddle Kari and touch her back at night he's jizzing in his pants. I was tired of hearing Kari's same old excuses over and over when Bear has bent over backwards to put NO pressure on her what so ever and she won't let go of the past (by the way her abuse came at the hands of humans not the orcs, just saying) and give Bear a real chance.
Anyway I was putting up with all this because we were finally getting to her starting to make steps towards their future and opening up to loving Bear. I am so excited to see Bear finally get his happy ending....pun completely intended lol, and wham, bam, no thank you ma'am, it's over. NO ending, NO resolution. Everything left hanging in the air, I feel swindled.
That ending left me wanted to punch Kari in the face and feeling so sorry for Bear. Maybe there will be another book that will give us something, anything, an epilogue for God's sake. I don't know how to rate this, I actually really enjoyed this, thinking I was gonna get a different ending. I thought it was kinda long especially since it is basically left unfinished.
Take of that what you will.
July 11, 2020
I enjoyed this sci fi romance. It was between a 3.5 and 4 stars so I rounded up. I liked that the aliens were fairly alien. I wished that there had been more world building and description. The story was mostly dialogue which is okay but I just prefer some more description. I would happily read more in this setting/world.
July 25, 2020
Poor Bear! :’(
Long review forewarning you:
I’m not sure why this was even in romance section of recommendations I might like. THIS IS NOT ROMANCE!
The beginning was so hard to navigate and remember because the grammar, even throughout the story, was atrocious to put it kindly, the story itself was hard to follow as it made it seem as if kari gave birth and then tried to walk away but didn’t and then later it is clarified that she actually found the baby after seeing that it was abandoned then proceeded to bash the birth mom for not wanting a product of rape, way to go author for putting your political views in your writing and only seeing one side of that coin, classy.
Kari has blatantly stated that she felt no sparks for Bear during sex and that it was bland, bear tells her he loves Kari and guess what it takes her a good minute to let him down gently that she only sees him as a meal ticket and a safe person for her to live with and be provided for, only after Kari hears the dejection in Bears voice does she begrudgingly say ‘ I love you too’ back to bear.
I totally understand she is a survivor and all but she refuses to see bear, it seems, as nothing as an alien orc who invaded and captured earth, flinches from him even to the end of the story knowing that he has never harmed her or her adoptive son, refuses to have sex with him or work with her problems on sex. This book was damn near unbearable and to only read that the ending was dull and there was no turn around what so ever was agonizing. She was never attacked by an orc but her very own human race her sexually assaulted her and acted if bear himself was the one raped her and treated him like a wild animal was living in the bedroom while she forced her and child to sleep on the floor of the bathroom even though he offered her a king sized bed, no thanks bear I’d rather have my 2 year old sleep on cold tile because he’s used to it and I want to keep the child neglect up for a little while longer.
There is more that I could say but those are the major ones that I could think of in this book that are just down right dumb and disappointing. I was so hyped up to read this book and now I’m just sad I wasted my time reading it.
Long review forewarning you:
I’m not sure why this was even in romance section of recommendations I might like. THIS IS NOT ROMANCE!
The beginning was so hard to navigate and remember because the grammar, even throughout the story, was atrocious to put it kindly, the story itself was hard to follow as it made it seem as if kari gave birth and then tried to walk away but didn’t and then later it is clarified that she actually found the baby after seeing that it was abandoned then proceeded to bash the birth mom for not wanting a product of rape, way to go author for putting your political views in your writing and only seeing one side of that coin, classy.
Kari has blatantly stated that she felt no sparks for Bear during sex and that it was bland, bear tells her he loves Kari and guess what it takes her a good minute to let him down gently that she only sees him as a meal ticket and a safe person for her to live with and be provided for, only after Kari hears the dejection in Bears voice does she begrudgingly say ‘ I love you too’ back to bear.
I totally understand she is a survivor and all but she refuses to see bear, it seems, as nothing as an alien orc who invaded and captured earth, flinches from him even to the end of the story knowing that he has never harmed her or her adoptive son, refuses to have sex with him or work with her problems on sex. This book was damn near unbearable and to only read that the ending was dull and there was no turn around what so ever was agonizing. She was never attacked by an orc but her very own human race her sexually assaulted her and acted if bear himself was the one raped her and treated him like a wild animal was living in the bedroom while she forced her and child to sleep on the floor of the bathroom even though he offered her a king sized bed, no thanks bear I’d rather have my 2 year old sleep on cold tile because he’s used to it and I want to keep the child neglect up for a little while longer.
There is more that I could say but those are the major ones that I could think of in this book that are just down right dumb and disappointing. I was so hyped up to read this book and now I’m just sad I wasted my time reading it.
September 17, 2020
DNF 20%
I liked the promise of the story. But it didn't deliver. Couldn't stand the mess of a heroine. And the writing was off. It dragged and didn't flow. Not enjoyable to read.
I liked the promise of the story. But it didn't deliver. Couldn't stand the mess of a heroine. And the writing was off. It dragged and didn't flow. Not enjoyable to read.
January 27, 2021
This was one of my favorite stories of 2020, and it's worth listening to as an audiobook. Excellent narrator choice, enjoyed it as much the first time I read it.
November 28, 2020
Be open and get involved in this story ...
Completely different from what was expected but beautifully captivating and so sensitive in all areas that are outlined boldly, sensitively and understandably, but without the deep wounds that lead to the complicated behavior, strikingly depicted and dissected. On the whole again the approach "You cannot change the past, deciding is dealing with the now to have a future" is very well worked out and wonderfully described.
This romance develops very slowly, much background comes over many individual situations, which in the end form a whole, moving picture like a puzzle.
Really well done is the realization that what is frustrating about Kari and her behavior and her viscous development is enviably patient and devotedly balanced by Beast. Without appearing great, he is the linchpin, the link to everything and the balm that wraps itself around everything like a cloak. An amazing achievement for an Orc.
This author is new to me, but in the storm she convinced me with her slow burn and the romanticism in small details. This book is not yet perfectly polished, but as a whole very convincing and wonderful and completely different from what you would expect from a Dystrophia Alien Invasion SciFi romance. A brave step off the beaten track but oh so worthwhile and therefore great fascinating.
This book is a clear recommendation to read.
Completely different from what was expected but beautifully captivating and so sensitive in all areas that are outlined boldly, sensitively and understandably, but without the deep wounds that lead to the complicated behavior, strikingly depicted and dissected. On the whole again the approach "You cannot change the past, deciding is dealing with the now to have a future" is very well worked out and wonderfully described.
This romance develops very slowly, much background comes over many individual situations, which in the end form a whole, moving picture like a puzzle.
Really well done is the realization that what is frustrating about Kari and her behavior and her viscous development is enviably patient and devotedly balanced by Beast. Without appearing great, he is the linchpin, the link to everything and the balm that wraps itself around everything like a cloak. An amazing achievement for an Orc.
This author is new to me, but in the storm she convinced me with her slow burn and the romanticism in small details. This book is not yet perfectly polished, but as a whole very convincing and wonderful and completely different from what you would expect from a Dystrophia Alien Invasion SciFi romance. A brave step off the beaten track but oh so worthwhile and therefore great fascinating.
This book is a clear recommendation to read.
July 24, 2020
Disappointing AF
The heroine actually made me have a scaled back panic attack. You spend so long in Kari's head, overanalysing every single decision and sentence spoken between her and the "Orc", Bear, by 75%, it was just exhausting.
I understand PTSD but this is on a whole other level. She spent so long crying, sobbing and panicking I couldn't even connect with her. I just wanted to pay for her therapy. The "orc" continually made EVERY effort to calm her, console her and treat her with dignity, and she did nothing but cry, argue and push back in every portion of the story. II actually felt sorry for Bear as she just kept him hanging on, desperate for even the slightest ounce of of affection. Sad really.
Ended on a cliff hanger too, just to add insult to the most slow burn romance I've ever read.
The heroine actually made me have a scaled back panic attack. You spend so long in Kari's head, overanalysing every single decision and sentence spoken between her and the "Orc", Bear, by 75%, it was just exhausting.
I understand PTSD but this is on a whole other level. She spent so long crying, sobbing and panicking I couldn't even connect with her. I just wanted to pay for her therapy. The "orc" continually made EVERY effort to calm her, console her and treat her with dignity, and she did nothing but cry, argue and push back in every portion of the story. II actually felt sorry for Bear as she just kept him hanging on, desperate for even the slightest ounce of of affection. Sad really.
Ended on a cliff hanger too, just to add insult to the most slow burn romance I've ever read.
September 23, 2021
I had high expectations for this book, but I feel let down.
The pace was way too slow and most of the side characters blended together with no differentiating features.
There was no enough background information about the "Orcs" and how they came to be on Earth.
I was truly disappointed with Kari. I couldn't connect with her and she was so whiney with way too much inner monologue. I'm not sure how Bear puts up with her really. There's hardly no erotic content and it's just awkward and always leads to crying.
I'll have to think about reading the second book
The pace was way too slow and most of the side characters blended together with no differentiating features.
There was no enough background information about the "Orcs" and how they came to be on Earth.
I was truly disappointed with Kari. I couldn't connect with her and she was so whiney with way too much inner monologue. I'm not sure how Bear puts up with her really. There's hardly no erotic content and it's just awkward and always leads to crying.
I'll have to think about reading the second book
August 4, 2021
Love grows with time
This book was not what I was expecting, but it was amazing nonetheless! I love how the author showed the growth in all of the characters and how they survived their lowest moments and then grew stronger because of them. There are triggers, but this is a must read book that is all about the romance and the patience and understanding it takes to truly love someone. This book was such a wonderful series starter and I can’t wait to see what happens next.
This book was not what I was expecting, but it was amazing nonetheless! I love how the author showed the growth in all of the characters and how they survived their lowest moments and then grew stronger because of them. There are triggers, but this is a must read book that is all about the romance and the patience and understanding it takes to truly love someone. This book was such a wonderful series starter and I can’t wait to see what happens next.
October 13, 2020
Before I dig a bit deeper, the book is not worth paying for.
Reasons: when I pay for a book I expect it to be edited and that there will be no grammar or vocabulary mistakes present.
Now, to the short review.
I enjoyed what I read. It was thought through and believable albeit it stayed on a superficial level. Many interesting concepts and topics were shortly mentioned and named but the author sadly left it at that.
The book focused only on the emotional struggle of the protagonists, mainly the female leads one.
And that was what broke the camels back. The author was single-minded on that one topic, that not only the character but also the author forgot that there is more out there.
The character did make progress in her development or more to be accurate in her healing from her PTSD but like the character, the reader didn’t notice that as well. There was no sense of achievement.
That made the reading odd, because you were constantly waiting for something to happen, which didn’t happen. Even the character had the same feelings I had, every day is the same equalling every page is the same. No fulfilment.
And then for all the struggle and work the character displayed towards one goal in the end, the author dared to deprive us of that achievement as well, as she ended the book early.
The book missed an editor.
The book missed one or at least two more plot threads to make it a bit more interesting.
Maybe in this case another POV from Bear would have been helpful, to balance the lack of positive emotions from Kari. He could have given that to the reader. The female leads character was authentic don’t get me wrong. But positive emotions and romantic feelings weren’t in her repertoire, and with her temporary one dimensional mind due to trauma the perception for the reader was belated and very limited.
Reasons: when I pay for a book I expect it to be edited and that there will be no grammar or vocabulary mistakes present.
Now, to the short review.
I enjoyed what I read. It was thought through and believable albeit it stayed on a superficial level. Many interesting concepts and topics were shortly mentioned and named but the author sadly left it at that.
The book focused only on the emotional struggle of the protagonists, mainly the female leads one.
And that was what broke the camels back. The author was single-minded on that one topic, that not only the character but also the author forgot that there is more out there.
The character did make progress in her development or more to be accurate in her healing from her PTSD but like the character, the reader didn’t notice that as well. There was no sense of achievement.
That made the reading odd, because you were constantly waiting for something to happen, which didn’t happen. Even the character had the same feelings I had, every day is the same equalling every page is the same. No fulfilment.
And then for all the struggle and work the character displayed towards one goal in the end, the author dared to deprive us of that achievement as well, as she ended the book early.
The book missed an editor.
The book missed one or at least two more plot threads to make it a bit more interesting.
Maybe in this case another POV from Bear would have been helpful, to balance the lack of positive emotions from Kari. He could have given that to the reader. The female leads character was authentic don’t get me wrong. But positive emotions and romantic feelings weren’t in her repertoire, and with her temporary one dimensional mind due to trauma the perception for the reader was belated and very limited.
March 22, 2021
what the hell
reading this felt like such a ripoff. i was expecting a sexy human/orc relationship and instead i got stuck with whiney little Kari. and i get it. i truly do. she has ptsd from her past. so do i. i can sympathize - but in "recovering" from her past, she treated Bear (the orc mc) like absolute shit. he did everything he could to try to make things better for her and ended up walking on eggshells anytime he was around her, and she still kicked him in the face (that one was actually an accident) and pushed him so far that he thought she didn't want him around anymore.
it was incredibly frustrating, because i get that as a reader i'm supposed to sympathize with Kari and her recovery, but at the same time she's recovering from her past abuse, she's actively abusing Bear, and that's just a huge no for me.
that aside, i did like the concept of this book. i haven't read any orc romances? before. is this even a subgenre? idk. i feel like i say that i like the concept of books a lot, and i guess what i mean by that is that the plot itself was good. there was a lot of potential here. i liked the supporting characters, even though sometimes they felt a bit like plot devices just to illustrate more of Kari's trauma.
idk.
i liked the kids. i liked Bear. i just didn't like Kari.
reading this felt like such a ripoff. i was expecting a sexy human/orc relationship and instead i got stuck with whiney little Kari. and i get it. i truly do. she has ptsd from her past. so do i. i can sympathize - but in "recovering" from her past, she treated Bear (the orc mc) like absolute shit. he did everything he could to try to make things better for her and ended up walking on eggshells anytime he was around her, and she still kicked him in the face (that one was actually an accident) and pushed him so far that he thought she didn't want him around anymore.
it was incredibly frustrating, because i get that as a reader i'm supposed to sympathize with Kari and her recovery, but at the same time she's recovering from her past abuse, she's actively abusing Bear, and that's just a huge no for me.
that aside, i did like the concept of this book. i haven't read any orc romances? before. is this even a subgenre? idk. i feel like i say that i like the concept of books a lot, and i guess what i mean by that is that the plot itself was good. there was a lot of potential here. i liked the supporting characters, even though sometimes they felt a bit like plot devices just to illustrate more of Kari's trauma.
idk.
i liked the kids. i liked Bear. i just didn't like Kari.
June 24, 2020
Absolutely loved this book
This book has so much world building and character development I had to put it down a couple of times just to make sure I wasn’t absorbed into it. I loved how realistic these characters are. Yes I realize there are Orcs and alien invasions but the misunderstandings between the two races and how they try to grow and fix these issues was perfect. There is no “magical male member” that fixes all the problems and completely erases the past. They actually talk things out, slowly learn from each other, and try to resolve their issues. I would love to follow this storyline if it were to continue, learn about the other women and what they went through and how they managed to heal. All in all if I could give this book 10 stars I would. It took me on an emotional roller coaster and I would ride that roller coaster again if another book is published. Definitely worth the kindle purchase and I will most definitely read this again.
This book has so much world building and character development I had to put it down a couple of times just to make sure I wasn’t absorbed into it. I loved how realistic these characters are. Yes I realize there are Orcs and alien invasions but the misunderstandings between the two races and how they try to grow and fix these issues was perfect. There is no “magical male member” that fixes all the problems and completely erases the past. They actually talk things out, slowly learn from each other, and try to resolve their issues. I would love to follow this storyline if it were to continue, learn about the other women and what they went through and how they managed to heal. All in all if I could give this book 10 stars I would. It took me on an emotional roller coaster and I would ride that roller coaster again if another book is published. Definitely worth the kindle purchase and I will most definitely read this again.
January 4, 2021
Sorry but I wasted money. I do not recommend.
So the book could have been good if MC grew up she had to many issues and never got over them. There were parts were i got excited and thought oh its going to happen now the nope dissatisfied then as I got to the end I was so angry because this hole thing was a waste of my time. I would not recommend or even read again. I'm upset that I bought this. I should have read the reviews.
So the book could have been good if MC grew up she had to many issues and never got over them. There were parts were i got excited and thought oh its going to happen now the nope dissatisfied then as I got to the end I was so angry because this hole thing was a waste of my time. I would not recommend or even read again. I'm upset that I bought this. I should have read the reviews.
October 12, 2021
Dystopian setting, with h trying to find her way with surviving and living. She's suffered, has PTSD, lives with fear and guilt. A dark story with so many triggers but she eventually move towards a HFN. The H was so careful with her and the aliens get so much wrong, despite good intentions. Huge miscommunications made for a challenging story.
January 24, 2021
This story has the potential to be really good. But as it is now it's not a book for me. And the ending felt really rushed. I really do like some of the characters.
Like all my reviews this is MY opinion of the book. And taste isn't universal. Just because I didn't like it that much doesn't mean it's a 2 stars book for someone else.
Like all my reviews this is MY opinion of the book. And taste isn't universal. Just because I didn't like it that much doesn't mean it's a 2 stars book for someone else.
Read
October 26, 2021DNF @ 22%
I may circle back to this at a later date. I tried to read it while helping my sis with newborn twins, so I'm not on my A game. Partnered with my ADHD and my tendency to get bored easily… and this wasn’t working for me.
In a nutshell, Earth was invaded by Orcs, there’re several assumptions being kicked around about them being monsters, but I suspect there’s more going on.
When they came, it was an invasion. They don’t like to hear us say that. Get caught complaining and you could go missing in the night. They like to say they saved us from climate change or the 0.1% or whatever bullshit lets them sleep at night. It’s all lies. It was a fucking invasion. They killed thousands, millions. The rest they raped, tortured and locked away in refugee camps.
Kari is living in one of these camps when she sees a woman give birth to a orc/human baby, and abandon him when he’s born resembling them. She adopts the baby (Max) and tries her best to hide him from them. (fear they’ll take him away) Over time, (he might 2-3ish) she and other human/baby orc caregivers band together to help each other when the Orcs take notice and take them in. She’s offered to stay with Max as long as she chooses an Orc mate.
At 22% nothing has really happened. The Orcs can understand humans, but can’t really communicate back because their tusks don’t allow them to form the correct sounds. Her mate (who she only refers to as asshole) has given her clothes, nice house, brought her friends in, but she still hates him.
You aren’t impressed that he’s built like a bear, that just makes him scary. He got you the biggest bed, but you won’t sleep in it. He’s getting you better food, but you think he’s poisoning you. Fuck sweetie! I think he is really trying.” From what I understand, you talked up how important it was to have us here. He made it happen. I mean, thank you! But honestly, who does that?”
She may warm up soon, but I’m trying to stay awake and need a more stimulating read.
I may circle back to this at a later date. I tried to read it while helping my sis with newborn twins, so I'm not on my A game. Partnered with my ADHD and my tendency to get bored easily… and this wasn’t working for me.
In a nutshell, Earth was invaded by Orcs, there’re several assumptions being kicked around about them being monsters, but I suspect there’s more going on.
When they came, it was an invasion. They don’t like to hear us say that. Get caught complaining and you could go missing in the night. They like to say they saved us from climate change or the 0.1% or whatever bullshit lets them sleep at night. It’s all lies. It was a fucking invasion. They killed thousands, millions. The rest they raped, tortured and locked away in refugee camps.
Kari is living in one of these camps when she sees a woman give birth to a orc/human baby, and abandon him when he’s born resembling them. She adopts the baby (Max) and tries her best to hide him from them. (fear they’ll take him away) Over time, (he might 2-3ish) she and other human/baby orc caregivers band together to help each other when the Orcs take notice and take them in. She’s offered to stay with Max as long as she chooses an Orc mate.
At 22% nothing has really happened. The Orcs can understand humans, but can’t really communicate back because their tusks don’t allow them to form the correct sounds. Her mate (who she only refers to as asshole) has given her clothes, nice house, brought her friends in, but she still hates him.
You aren’t impressed that he’s built like a bear, that just makes him scary. He got you the biggest bed, but you won’t sleep in it. He’s getting you better food, but you think he’s poisoning you. Fuck sweetie! I think he is really trying.” From what I understand, you talked up how important it was to have us here. He made it happen. I mean, thank you! But honestly, who does that?”
She may warm up soon, but I’m trying to stay awake and need a more stimulating read.
May 7, 2022
Mixed feelings about this book, part of me wants to give it a full 3 stars but the world-building is missing some key elements that would have really pushed this into something greater than it is. If they had built more on the outside world, how life was before during and after the Aliens came to invade, this plot could be a solid 4/5 star book.
The main character although somewhat repetitive is a likable person. I feel for Kari, shes lived some shit and the portrayal of PTSD and her constant fight with the same thoughts/feelings is right on point with how PTSD is. I relate to her. These last two years have felt like 17,000 years for many of us. This is my first review in a long long while. because Ive struggled to find passion within books due to the stress of simply surviving. Kari is the same but worse. Her fight and flight are going off every 5 and half seconds and it's so well done. Love that about her development and how it didn't seem rushed she get over her trauma and just love her Alien and makes some damn alien babies.
Ima give #2 a shot and hope for more world building. Just a few pages of environmental immersion and we could have something really beautiful here. I wanna feel the world and the people in it and how these big grey looking Orc Aliens fit or dont.
WARNING
Rape, PTSD, Trauma, Verbal abuse, implications of physical abuse and a few other potential triggers
The main character although somewhat repetitive is a likable person. I feel for Kari, shes lived some shit and the portrayal of PTSD and her constant fight with the same thoughts/feelings is right on point with how PTSD is. I relate to her. These last two years have felt like 17,000 years for many of us. This is my first review in a long long while. because Ive struggled to find passion within books due to the stress of simply surviving. Kari is the same but worse. Her fight and flight are going off every 5 and half seconds and it's so well done. Love that about her development and how it didn't seem rushed she get over her trauma and just love her Alien and makes some damn alien babies.
Ima give #2 a shot and hope for more world building. Just a few pages of environmental immersion and we could have something really beautiful here. I wanna feel the world and the people in it and how these big grey looking Orc Aliens fit or dont.
WARNING
Rape, PTSD, Trauma, Verbal abuse, implications of physical abuse and a few other potential triggers
June 27, 2020
Bear is great
He has the patience of a saint, giving the mc the time she needs to come to terms with her trauma. He's a good dad to Max. The mc has gone through some tough things, so has Bear, everyone has. Henry and his husband add some much needed humor, so do the orc's reactions in some cases. There is a lot of trauma and cultural differences both human and orc have to work through and the author does a good job using it to help lead about the world.
He has the patience of a saint, giving the mc the time she needs to come to terms with her trauma. He's a good dad to Max. The mc has gone through some tough things, so has Bear, everyone has. Henry and his husband add some much needed humor, so do the orc's reactions in some cases. There is a lot of trauma and cultural differences both human and orc have to work through and the author does a good job using it to help lead about the world.
July 7, 2020
Alien human romance
This was an orc alien human romance, but it wasn't very romantic. It was way more realistic than the usual alien romance. Heroine had PTSD, which was realistic but not romantic. She was slowly healing and that was really the focus of it.
Her alien partner was great, in his way, as much as he could be. I had no complaints about him. She was frustrating a bit, but again realistic. I guess I wanted something from her that I didn't get.
The humans lives in this book were very tedious which made the story a bit weird and boring in a way. Because their lives were boring.
I reccomend this book for a different take on human alien relationships. Ending was a bit abrupt, but I see why it ended where it did.
This was an orc alien human romance, but it wasn't very romantic. It was way more realistic than the usual alien romance. Heroine had PTSD, which was realistic but not romantic. She was slowly healing and that was really the focus of it.
Her alien partner was great, in his way, as much as he could be. I had no complaints about him. She was frustrating a bit, but again realistic. I guess I wanted something from her that I didn't get.
The humans lives in this book were very tedious which made the story a bit weird and boring in a way. Because their lives were boring.
I reccomend this book for a different take on human alien relationships. Ending was a bit abrupt, but I see why it ended where it did.
December 30, 2020
Not anything I thought it would be
I went with two stars because the writing was done correctly with spelling mistakes.
My issue is with the story it seriously dragged out for no reason. I had to force myself to finish. The ending sucked. Kinda ends with use your imagination. Foreplay scenes left a lot to desire. If anything they could of been left out. No real substance. I lost a few hours I can't get back.
I went with two stars because the writing was done correctly with spelling mistakes.
My issue is with the story it seriously dragged out for no reason. I had to force myself to finish. The ending sucked. Kinda ends with use your imagination. Foreplay scenes left a lot to desire. If anything they could of been left out. No real substance. I lost a few hours I can't get back.
September 13, 2021
Awesome, emotional read!
This was a really great read. Not like most alien romances, the book was about trauma, PTSD, and the long road to being able to trust someone again with your body. Definitely not a light read. Hero was grumpy, but super sweet. Heroine was a very caring person who had been severely victimized.
Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Trope: forced proximity
Angst: 😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥
Triggers: heroine was a victim of rape and assault (not by mmc) , PTSD
This was a really great read. Not like most alien romances, the book was about trauma, PTSD, and the long road to being able to trust someone again with your body. Definitely not a light read. Hero was grumpy, but super sweet. Heroine was a very caring person who had been severely victimized.
Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Trope: forced proximity
Angst: 😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥
Triggers: heroine was a victim of rape and assault (not by mmc) , PTSD
June 27, 2025
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I don’t know what to say about this book other than it pulled me in and I could put it down! I need book 2 I know this ending isn’t the end it can’t be.
Update 2025- I got the audio of this book and finished it a day I forgot how good it was and now I’m on to book. I hope we get to see everyone in book 2.
I don’t know what to say about this book other than it pulled me in and I could put it down! I need book 2 I know this ending isn’t the end it can’t be.
Update 2025- I got the audio of this book and finished it a day I forgot how good it was and now I’m on to book. I hope we get to see everyone in book 2.
August 20, 2022
This is a romance, yes. But read the note at the beginning of the book, because its not your typical romance. The romance is front and center, with much of the book being about the two main characters getting to know each other and falling in love. However, its also equally about the female lead working through trauma and a changed world to find happiness for her own sake again. I'm also pleased to say that it is made abundantly clear that another person can't be responsible for someone's happiness, that it has to come from that person and their own actions.
There is so much happening and so much world building outside of the core relationship and characters. Though it never drags. The elements are all woven well together into a gentle comforting story arch. Outside of being a romance its also a wonderful example of a science fiction story with a strong anthropological element around the mixing of cultures.
There is so much happening and so much world building outside of the core relationship and characters. Though it never drags. The elements are all woven well together into a gentle comforting story arch. Outside of being a romance its also a wonderful example of a science fiction story with a strong anthropological element around the mixing of cultures.
July 6, 2020
2.50 stars. I was really undecided about the rating of this book. I liked the elements of this story, alien invasion, traumatised heroine and the life after but i wanted more character development from the main alien hero and more descriptions about the orcs homeworld, traditions and life. I didn't like the way they dealt with humans and i wanted more justifications about their actions and ignorance and generally more worldbuilding. The epilogue was necessary but missing. All in all i didn't hate it, it had potential but there were many things that were missing.
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