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Monster Hearts #1
Heart of an Orc
A Sci-Fi Monster Romance
Fresh out of college, with a degree in Biochemistry and wild dreams for the future, I can’t believe my luck when I get a job as a lab assistant with the mysterious organization IMRA. But then I find out IMRA stands for… umm… International Monster Research Association, and that… umm… alien monsters exist, and now I’m not even allowed to talk about my job at home!
Deep breath. I can handle this. I’m a professional, and this is a great opportunity.
Oh, what’s the job description? So glad you asked! It’s… let me check. Ah, right! Collecting test samples from a recently captured green-skinned beast that’s as tall as a mountain, a bit too growly for my taste, and could certainly break out of his cage if he wanted to.
An orc. I’m to collect various bodily fluids from an alien orc.
Deep breath. Don’t panic, Lou. Come on! You’re a professional. *sweat drop*
Fresh out of college, with a degree in Biochemistry and wild dreams for the future, I can’t believe my luck when I get a job as a lab assistant with the mysterious organization IMRA. But then I find out IMRA stands for… umm… International Monster Research Association, and that… umm… alien monsters exist, and now I’m not even allowed to talk about my job at home!
Deep breath. I can handle this. I’m a professional, and this is a great opportunity.
Oh, what’s the job description? So glad you asked! It’s… let me check. Ah, right! Collecting test samples from a recently captured green-skinned beast that’s as tall as a mountain, a bit too growly for my taste, and could certainly break out of his cage if he wanted to.
An orc. I’m to collect various bodily fluids from an alien orc.
Deep breath. Don’t panic, Lou. Come on! You’re a professional. *sweat drop*
164 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 22, 2022
181 people are currently reading
253 people want to read
About the author
Cara Wylde
145 books643 followersCara Wylde loves to write about strong, feisty women and their hot Alphas who will do anything to make them happy. Her books are filled with romance and just a dash of mystery, suspense, and that eerie atmosphere she fell in love with reading too many gothic novels. With a master's degree in Comparative Literature, she can't help but play with tropes and themes from various genres, trying to come up with fresh perspectives on the paranormal characters her readers love so much. Vampires, shape-shifters, demons, witches... Cara will always make sure they get their own twists.
When she's not writing, Cara is reading, planning her next story, or daydreaming. Her idea of pure heaven is a day filled with nothing but her laptop, a huge coffee pot, relaxing music, and a new, exciting project.
When she's not writing, Cara is reading, planning her next story, or daydreaming. Her idea of pure heaven is a day filled with nothing but her laptop, a huge coffee pot, relaxing music, and a new, exciting project.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
March 27, 2022
Decided not to do much of a review, but have added comments to highlights instead.
Sebastian as a character served no purpose that the boss didn't fill. He was so cartoonishly evil, yet had little influence on the plot.
The mother-daughter relationship was the best part.
Tarog had no personality outside of "my mate".
Stars: 1,5
Sebastian as a character served no purpose that the boss didn't fill. He was so cartoonishly evil, yet had little influence on the plot.
The mother-daughter relationship was the best part.
Tarog had no personality outside of "my mate".
Stars: 1,5
September 2, 2022
Okay, but this is catastrophically stupid. I wanted to like it - I'm in the market for orc romances that aren't about bullies. But... I couldn't get past the general idiocy, here.
Her home life is bad. Alzheimer mom, shitty out of work asshole fiance. First day at work as a biochemist for a government lab. Biochemistry is hard, yo, and getting a labwork (as opposed to technician level) job in a gov't lab as a fresh graduate is... practically unheard of. So, she should be off-the-charts intelligent.
But she's a moron with no technical abilities, no scientific understanding, no job skills (I'm not talking about needing training, I mean she's heading to a job in a lab and she puts on a cute dress and high heels, something which any of her college lab classes would have taught her was unacceptable), little ability to work with others (yes, her boss is a jerk, but usually by the time someone's the FMC's age, they know how to not blither at jerk-bosses)...
Her boss has a universal translator implanted in her. This doesn't make her suspicious or even excited. She's just baffled by everything, like she's a 10 year old out for her first tim. She meets The Orc. Her job appears to be... watching him.
They discuss ‘the mating bond’. She’s kind to him about food and admits that she doesn’t like her shitty fiance. Shitty boss is angry because she took off her lab coat. Orc is angry because she’s crying. He attacks shitty boss and scares Lou. Somewhere in here they kiss.
Now she has to collect a sperm sample and she’s a fucking prude. She tries to make him jack off for them, but he refuses. She’ll lose her job if she doesn’t get the samples. So she gives him a blow job, like her fucking saliva won’t contaminate the sample.
Shitty fiance calls her at work! to make her pay his bills. Orc gets angry and yells while she’s on the phone. She’s just unhappy.
Orc suggests they escape and go to his place in the mountains (In the Appalachians?) where his group are ‘building huts’ and they can live there with her mom. They escape by beating up the guards and the shitty boss. And drive off in a company van. There are no *other* guards or security.
They pick up her mom, tie shitty fiance up, and leave. Still no security. They don’t have maps or any plan. They just… drive to the mountains and happen to find the right place. Then there’s sexxorz.
Epilogue, they’re cross-fertile (of course) and they have babies and somehow no one has noticed that there’s a fucking ORC VILLAGE in the middle of Applachia.
I finished it largely because I couldn't believe it was this dumb. I'll never get that time back.
Her home life is bad. Alzheimer mom, shitty out of work asshole fiance. First day at work as a biochemist for a government lab. Biochemistry is hard, yo, and getting a labwork (as opposed to technician level) job in a gov't lab as a fresh graduate is... practically unheard of. So, she should be off-the-charts intelligent.
But she's a moron with no technical abilities, no scientific understanding, no job skills (I'm not talking about needing training, I mean she's heading to a job in a lab and she puts on a cute dress and high heels, something which any of her college lab classes would have taught her was unacceptable), little ability to work with others (yes, her boss is a jerk, but usually by the time someone's the FMC's age, they know how to not blither at jerk-bosses)...
Her boss has a universal translator implanted in her. This doesn't make her suspicious or even excited. She's just baffled by everything, like she's a 10 year old out for her first tim. She meets The Orc. Her job appears to be... watching him.
They discuss ‘the mating bond’. She’s kind to him about food and admits that she doesn’t like her shitty fiance. Shitty boss is angry because she took off her lab coat. Orc is angry because she’s crying. He attacks shitty boss and scares Lou. Somewhere in here they kiss.
Now she has to collect a sperm sample and she’s a fucking prude. She tries to make him jack off for them, but he refuses. She’ll lose her job if she doesn’t get the samples. So she gives him a blow job, like her fucking saliva won’t contaminate the sample.
Shitty fiance calls her at work! to make her pay his bills. Orc gets angry and yells while she’s on the phone. She’s just unhappy.
Orc suggests they escape and go to his place in the mountains (In the Appalachians?) where his group are ‘building huts’ and they can live there with her mom. They escape by beating up the guards and the shitty boss. And drive off in a company van. There are no *other* guards or security.
They pick up her mom, tie shitty fiance up, and leave. Still no security. They don’t have maps or any plan. They just… drive to the mountains and happen to find the right place. Then there’s sexxorz.
Epilogue, they’re cross-fertile (of course) and they have babies and somehow no one has noticed that there’s a fucking ORC VILLAGE in the middle of Applachia.
I finished it largely because I couldn't believe it was this dumb. I'll never get that time back.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 4, 2022
A Fun lighted romance between two species. Captured as a 'monster' he was anything but. An intelligent being. Captured and kept in a cage for constant testing the only light in his life was the new lab assistant.
It was an entertaining read and I loved the ending.
It was an entertaining read and I loved the ending.
February 15, 2022
Sladký příběh se šťastným koncem.
January 30, 2022
This book was such a great read, and who knew an orc could be so romantic?
When Lou and Tarog meet, the connection is instant.
Tarog will do anything for his sweet lou. And wow was Lou's boss the worst.
Fun romantic read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
When Lou and Tarog meet, the connection is instant.
Tarog will do anything for his sweet lou. And wow was Lou's boss the worst.
Fun romantic read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 8, 2022
Tarog and his people were tired of all the fighting on their home planet so when a portal opened up, they took it. They end up on Earth, far away from any other orcs and they find a beautiful wild area away from most human. When a group of human men come looki for them, Tarog backtracks and allows himself to be captured by IMRA. They put a translator on him and lock him up in an observation room. They are getting samples from him and trying to learn more about him but Tarog is not helping. Then a human female appears at the lab as the scientist's new assistant and Tarog is fascinated with her. By some miracle, she is his fated mate. He had planned to escape soon but with Lou's arrival, he is determined to convince her to go with him. However humans don't have fated mates so he will have to do a lot of convincing.
Louisa is hoping her life will get better. She has just graduated with a degree in Biochemistry and has a job with a mysterious organization called IMRA, International Monster Research Association. Her homelife is rough with her mom suffering from Alzheimers. Her fiance for the last few years quit his job to develop an app but seems to be spending most of his time playing games and watching TV. He never helps around the house and is offended by most things Louisa says even when she is trying to keep the peace. Louisa is hoping that this new job will improve thinks even though her boss is a total jerk. Her first look at the orc brings her mixed feelings. He scares her a little but she is also greatly attracted to him. She is the only one at IMRA who treats Tarog like a person and not an animal. When Tarog tells her that she is his fated mate, she is torn between believing him and staying loyal to her fiance. Somehow this alien monster treats her better than any other male in her life. Will she get the courage to escape with Tarog?
Louisa is hoping her life will get better. She has just graduated with a degree in Biochemistry and has a job with a mysterious organization called IMRA, International Monster Research Association. Her homelife is rough with her mom suffering from Alzheimers. Her fiance for the last few years quit his job to develop an app but seems to be spending most of his time playing games and watching TV. He never helps around the house and is offended by most things Louisa says even when she is trying to keep the peace. Louisa is hoping that this new job will improve thinks even though her boss is a total jerk. Her first look at the orc brings her mixed feelings. He scares her a little but she is also greatly attracted to him. She is the only one at IMRA who treats Tarog like a person and not an animal. When Tarog tells her that she is his fated mate, she is torn between believing him and staying loyal to her fiance. Somehow this alien monster treats her better than any other male in her life. Will she get the courage to escape with Tarog?
February 6, 2022
Lou and Tarog . . .
Louisa (“Lou”) Temple was hurrying to get ready for her first day of work as a lab assistant. Her fiancé Sebastian lives with her and her mother. He is out of work, lazy, left the bed for her to make, and ate her serving of eggs after eating his own breakfast. He is a real piece of work and the poor guy can’t seem to find a job while playing video games all day. (Lou, look up the meaning of “doormat”.) Sebastian was also not encouraging in the least about her new job, saying she had accomplished nothing worth celebrating yet. Of course, he seems to be the expert on that topic so maybe he thinks it’s true? He called it “tough love” but actually it was just rude. And though she sees all of this, she still makes excuses for him to justify his behavior. And rather than take her mother grocery shopping as she asked, he told Lou to just pick something up for them for dinner on her way home. (Glad I have an eReader or I would have ripped out some pages of the book right now.)
Tarog is confined in a glass cage, and Lou is to take samples of blood, bone marrow, saliva, and semen. That last one kind of freaked her out a little. Dr. Walsh offered no help at all. She was on her own to do the job. She released the gas that would sedate him and went inside to get the saliva and blood. She just finished when he opened his eyes! He told her he had planned to escape, but everything had changed. She hurried out of the enclosure and locked him in. And he realized that he had just felt the bond with his mate! Can he convince her to come with him back to his people? Would she be able to take her mother with her if was willing to be his forever? Grab your copy and find out what the future has for them.
Louisa (“Lou”) Temple was hurrying to get ready for her first day of work as a lab assistant. Her fiancé Sebastian lives with her and her mother. He is out of work, lazy, left the bed for her to make, and ate her serving of eggs after eating his own breakfast. He is a real piece of work and the poor guy can’t seem to find a job while playing video games all day. (Lou, look up the meaning of “doormat”.) Sebastian was also not encouraging in the least about her new job, saying she had accomplished nothing worth celebrating yet. Of course, he seems to be the expert on that topic so maybe he thinks it’s true? He called it “tough love” but actually it was just rude. And though she sees all of this, she still makes excuses for him to justify his behavior. And rather than take her mother grocery shopping as she asked, he told Lou to just pick something up for them for dinner on her way home. (Glad I have an eReader or I would have ripped out some pages of the book right now.)
Tarog is confined in a glass cage, and Lou is to take samples of blood, bone marrow, saliva, and semen. That last one kind of freaked her out a little. Dr. Walsh offered no help at all. She was on her own to do the job. She released the gas that would sedate him and went inside to get the saliva and blood. She just finished when he opened his eyes! He told her he had planned to escape, but everything had changed. She hurried out of the enclosure and locked him in. And he realized that he had just felt the bond with his mate! Can he convince her to come with him back to his people? Would she be able to take her mother with her if was willing to be his forever? Grab your copy and find out what the future has for them.
December 11, 2022
I feel bad for Tarog - his fated mate kinda sucks.
1. She has no backbone (treated terribly by fiancé and boss and just takes it)
2. She’s an idiot (doesn’t read NDA details even after being told they are important and non-standard; doesn’t follow any general lab/safety protocols)
3. Seems to be lacking a moral compass (ok with the imprisonment and invasive testing of sentient life form because maybe it could be used for something that could cure her mom; comes up with the idea herself of withholding food from said imprisoned life form [her fated mate] until he gives her what she wants; cheats on her [admittedly a-hole] fiancé and still doesn’t consider calling off the engagement at that point).
Tarog is a total simp … let them keep me imprisoned, let them keep testing on me, let them kill me so long as I can stay with you oh lovely mate who is ok with my imprisonment and with withholding food to get her way. They escape plans are just as dumb.
Beyond that - nothing makes sense. The lab setup, apparent lack of camera surveillance, lack of vehicle tracking, etc is unrealistic for an ultra secret facility that catches and experiments on aliens. The mom’s interactions and willingness to just leave her own home in general and especially with Alzheimer’s. The a-hole boss’s terrible lab protocols and not even having a translator himself. Tarog’s decisions from getting caught to how to find his group to returning to a planet he purposely left because of how bad things were.
From characters to plot, quite the disappointing story :(
1. She has no backbone (treated terribly by fiancé and boss and just takes it)
2. She’s an idiot (doesn’t read NDA details even after being told they are important and non-standard; doesn’t follow any general lab/safety protocols)
3. Seems to be lacking a moral compass (ok with the imprisonment and invasive testing of sentient life form because maybe it could be used for something that could cure her mom; comes up with the idea herself of withholding food from said imprisoned life form [her fated mate] until he gives her what she wants; cheats on her [admittedly a-hole] fiancé and still doesn’t consider calling off the engagement at that point).
Tarog is a total simp … let them keep me imprisoned, let them keep testing on me, let them kill me so long as I can stay with you oh lovely mate who is ok with my imprisonment and with withholding food to get her way. They escape plans are just as dumb.
Beyond that - nothing makes sense. The lab setup, apparent lack of camera surveillance, lack of vehicle tracking, etc is unrealistic for an ultra secret facility that catches and experiments on aliens. The mom’s interactions and willingness to just leave her own home in general and especially with Alzheimer’s. The a-hole boss’s terrible lab protocols and not even having a translator himself. Tarog’s decisions from getting caught to how to find his group to returning to a planet he purposely left because of how bad things were.
From characters to plot, quite the disappointing story :(
February 7, 2022
Louisa is a scientist, and she’s just gotten a new job as an assistant in a lab. However, when she arrives, she finds that her job is more than she could’ve imagined in more way than one. For one thing, she has a translator unit attached before she gets to work, along with signing an NDA. And then she finds out that the lab she works for is Bart of a secret agency studying monsters. And the orc test subject is an alien. A seven-foot-tall, muscle-bound orc who looks at Lou likes he finds her just as attractive as she does him.
Torag is something of a refugee on earth, temporarily separated from the tribe he came to our world with. He has no intention of remaining a test subject for any length of time, but when Louisa arrives, he’s intrigued enough to stay awhile longer. Especially since, the more time he spends with the pretty little human who calls herself Lou, the more certain he is that she’s his fated mate. Lou may not believe him, but he’s will to wait until she’s convinced.
Louisa and Torag’s story is a fun, steamy forced-proximity, workplace alien romance. Torag is heartmeltingly sweet as he gets to know Lou and commits to her with whole-hearted devotion despite her hesitations. And I’m intrigued enough that I’m more than looking forward to the sequel, as well as Cara’s Orc Mates series, because I’m sure her other Orcs will be just as fun to read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Torag is something of a refugee on earth, temporarily separated from the tribe he came to our world with. He has no intention of remaining a test subject for any length of time, but when Louisa arrives, he’s intrigued enough to stay awhile longer. Especially since, the more time he spends with the pretty little human who calls herself Lou, the more certain he is that she’s his fated mate. Lou may not believe him, but he’s will to wait until she’s convinced.
Louisa and Torag’s story is a fun, steamy forced-proximity, workplace alien romance. Torag is heartmeltingly sweet as he gets to know Lou and commits to her with whole-hearted devotion despite her hesitations. And I’m intrigued enough that I’m more than looking forward to the sequel, as well as Cara’s Orc Mates series, because I’m sure her other Orcs will be just as fun to read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 7, 2022
This was a most enjoyable book but Louisa Temple has just got her degree as a biochemist and lands a job at IMRA (international monster research association) and now is not so sure when she has do run test on an Orc that she has to knockout every time and yes there real but she cannot tell anyone what she does and her fiancé Sebastian is a lazy creep who treats her badly but lives off her money, lives in her house and doesn’t work and won’t help look after her sick mother and she lets this go on and it drove me crazy being weak and letting everybody tell her what to do even her new crazy boss Dr Walsh, she needs to get a backbone and put them all in there place but she doesn’t until she does but it’s at the wrong person who only wants for her to be happy and safe with him. Torag has just been hunted and captured and caged because he wanted to keep his family and friends safe but now all he can think about is escaping from the glass caged his is in and from all the blood, urine, sperm test they have taken but on the plus side the gorgeous woman doing it all is his fated mate and hopes she will come with him when he leaves. How will it all turn out between them both and can he get her to escape with him and return home and will she want her mother to come as well.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 11, 2022
Heart of an Orc has two sweet protagonists in Tarog and Lou. She’s young, just starting in her career; he’s basically clueless about humanity. Tarog’s been held captive for some time when Lou, a new hire at a lab exploring monster research, comes along and draws his attention. He’s shocked to realize a human is his mate, but that shock soon turns to pleasure. But Lou has more trouble accepting that this green-skinned fellow is truly interested in her.
This is a pleasant read, and Lou and Tarog are pretty adorable. But you can’t think about this story too long, or the holes in it will start bothering you. Lou’s boss at the lab is a caricature. And it made no sense that Lou had an implant that enabled her to understand Tarog and her boss didn’t. Lou herself, as a recent graduate, lands the kind of job where you’d need a lot of references and past experiences to have. Lou’s fiancée and mother are also flatly characterized.
And Tarog somehow convinces Lou to go along with his ideas when he has little to no experience of Earth. The ending of the book is pat—there’s a lot that the reader is supposed to accept, and I just couldn’t.
And that’s a shame, as I really enjoyed reading about an orc who is kind and considerate. And that pushed my rating up a bit. But Heart of an Orc needed a great deal more internal logic and structure for it to have worked fully for me.
This is a pleasant read, and Lou and Tarog are pretty adorable. But you can’t think about this story too long, or the holes in it will start bothering you. Lou’s boss at the lab is a caricature. And it made no sense that Lou had an implant that enabled her to understand Tarog and her boss didn’t. Lou herself, as a recent graduate, lands the kind of job where you’d need a lot of references and past experiences to have. Lou’s fiancée and mother are also flatly characterized.
And Tarog somehow convinces Lou to go along with his ideas when he has little to no experience of Earth. The ending of the book is pat—there’s a lot that the reader is supposed to accept, and I just couldn’t.
And that’s a shame, as I really enjoyed reading about an orc who is kind and considerate. And that pushed my rating up a bit. But Heart of an Orc needed a great deal more internal logic and structure for it to have worked fully for me.
December 25, 2022
I really wanted to like this book, but I didn't.
All of the characters felt two-dimensional and flat. The MFC was a complete doormat who allowed everyone else in her life to belittle and gaslight her (her fiance, Sebastian, and her boss, Walsh). The MMC basically was just "protect my mate," but even he did some shady stuff towards the FMC. And Sebastian was awful and I had NO IDEA why the FMC was engaged to him AT ALL because he had NO redeeming characteristics at all.
Then the ending was rushed and happened way too fast. I'm still not sure Also, it made no sense that
All of the characters felt two-dimensional and flat. The MFC was a complete doormat who allowed everyone else in her life to belittle and gaslight her (her fiance, Sebastian, and her boss, Walsh). The MMC basically was just "protect my mate," but even he did some shady stuff towards the FMC. And Sebastian was awful and I had NO IDEA why the FMC was engaged to him AT ALL because he had NO redeeming characteristics at all.
Then the ending was rushed and happened way too fast. I'm still not sure Also, it made no sense that
February 6, 2022
Imagine your first day at work and you find out you have to collect samples from an alien. And then you find out your direct supervisor is a jerk. And then you discover the alien is actually a really good male who just might be your one and only for all time. I think Louisa had a great growth curve. She had to overcome stresses both at work and at home. Tarog came to this planet to try to find a better place to live with his family and ends up a prisoner in a lab. I like his sense of humor and his intelligence. I would say they are a good pair even though the author doesn't really give much information about Tarog except he's an orc and he loves his family. I'm even going to give props to the nasty supervisor. He might be one-dimensional but he's perfect for a short story. I honestly didn't care to know more about him.
I felt like there was a MAJOR loose end in this story so I can't give a solid 4 stars. I am not going to say what it is but I thought it made the end a little less understandable.
If you like alien love stories, give this a try. I enjoy the author's writing style and world-building. This story is contemporary and takes place mostly in the lab.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I felt like there was a MAJOR loose end in this story so I can't give a solid 4 stars. I am not going to say what it is but I thought it made the end a little less understandable.
If you like alien love stories, give this a try. I enjoy the author's writing style and world-building. This story is contemporary and takes place mostly in the lab.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 28, 2022
Who knew orcs could be sweet? Because Tarog, the hero, definitely was. He let himself be taken captive by humans in order to save his tribe when they traveled with him to Earth, and then, when he met the heroine, Lou, he immediately knew she was his mate. He was all about doing what was best for her, even if that meant waiting and letting himself stay locked up as a prisoner. I felt bad for Lou what with how awful her fiancee was, and having to care for her mother who was slowly losing her memory. Still, Lou was kind, did her best to be happy, and was a relatable heroine.
The story begins on Lou's first day at a new job. She thinks she'll be working as an assistant at a facility that studies asteroids, but Lou then discovers that actually she's assistant to a man who captures and studies monsters. Rightfully, Lou hates it, begins to get to know Tarog, and they form a relationship.
I had fun while reading this. Her boss and fiancee were awful villains, and I just wanted to see everything work out for this couple. I liked that in the end, it took both Lou and Tarog to be strong and to work together. Again, this was unexpectedly sweet, even with some evil people thrown into a mix. There was some steam, and a bit of comedy, too. I'm glad I picked this one up.
The story begins on Lou's first day at a new job. She thinks she'll be working as an assistant at a facility that studies asteroids, but Lou then discovers that actually she's assistant to a man who captures and studies monsters. Rightfully, Lou hates it, begins to get to know Tarog, and they form a relationship.
I had fun while reading this. Her boss and fiancee were awful villains, and I just wanted to see everything work out for this couple. I liked that in the end, it took both Lou and Tarog to be strong and to work together. Again, this was unexpectedly sweet, even with some evil people thrown into a mix. There was some steam, and a bit of comedy, too. I'm glad I picked this one up.
January 28, 2022
I have to say that Louisa is far sweeter than I think I would be, then again in that situation I don't really know what I would do. She is desperately trying to hold on to a job she has just got as it means being able to look after her mum and keep a roof over their heads. Her fiancé, or should I say live-in oxygen thief, is about as lazy, unpleasant and selfish as they come and does nothing to help. She is taken on at the lab to be an assistant and she is also the primary carer for their specimen. What she does not anticipate is the specimen to be a seven foot tall green skinned Orc! We are no longer alone! Tarog went through the portal on something of a whim. There was in-fighting where he was and when he went through he found an unpleasant reception in humans. To prevent this nasty species from hurting his own he hid his tracks and went with them. He has been in this strange cube prison so long he has lost track of time. Days blend into each other, that is until he seees the small and beautiful Louisa. She is the light in his day and life. He now thinks only of escaping and making her his. Although there is waaaaaaay more to it all than he thinks!
January 20, 2022
Louisa just graduated from college with a degree in Biochemistry. She's thrilled to be offered a job as a research assistant at an organization she has never heard of, the IMRA. It's not until she finds out what IMRA stands for, International Monster Research Association, and that her job involves collecting bodily fluid samples from a huge green skinned creature called an orc, that she has reason to hesitate. But, Lou is a professional and she can do any job if it will help her to achieve her ultimate goal, at least that's what she tells herself.
Wonderful characters, I loved Lou and Tarog. They are well written, unique, and determined to be together no matter what it could cost them. Another steamy read by one of my favorite authors. Not a lot of action, but here is some, and there is plenty of sizzle with surprising twists in the plot that made it difficult to put this book down until I read the last page.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Wonderful characters, I loved Lou and Tarog. They are well written, unique, and determined to be together no matter what it could cost them. Another steamy read by one of my favorite authors. Not a lot of action, but here is some, and there is plenty of sizzle with surprising twists in the plot that made it difficult to put this book down until I read the last page.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
May 17, 2022
Good
Louisa (Lou) and Torg (an Orc)
When Lou gets a new job, she isn’t expecting to have to take samples from an alien orc!
Torg is a massive alien, one who gradually comes to trust Lou, especially once he decides she’s his fated mate…
Despite Lou having a degree in biochemistry, she comes across as rather stupid in this book. She takes a lot of crap from her fiancé, and can’t see he’s a loser. She’s apparently almost illiterate since she found it too hard to read the forms, and can’t seem to take a hint from the guy warning her!
Fortunately Torg is not only smarter, but a good enough character to make up for her deficiencies, and her mother, despite her own illness is also pretty smart.
Still, the book is an enjoyable and entertaining read, quick and relatively fast paced. The hero is great, and I’d love to hear more about his orcish culture!
A fun not-so-little green man/alien hero read for the sci-fi romance lover.
Louisa (Lou) and Torg (an Orc)
When Lou gets a new job, she isn’t expecting to have to take samples from an alien orc!
Torg is a massive alien, one who gradually comes to trust Lou, especially once he decides she’s his fated mate…
Despite Lou having a degree in biochemistry, she comes across as rather stupid in this book. She takes a lot of crap from her fiancé, and can’t see he’s a loser. She’s apparently almost illiterate since she found it too hard to read the forms, and can’t seem to take a hint from the guy warning her!
Fortunately Torg is not only smarter, but a good enough character to make up for her deficiencies, and her mother, despite her own illness is also pretty smart.
Still, the book is an enjoyable and entertaining read, quick and relatively fast paced. The hero is great, and I’d love to hear more about his orcish culture!
A fun not-so-little green man/alien hero read for the sci-fi romance lover.
July 1, 2022
3.5 Stars
Quick read.
Lou is a recent college graduate and is starting her first job at a science lab. Little does she know its all about to go south. Her boss is a jerk and treats her like crap. But what he shows her, makes up for everything. Right before her eyes is an Orc. It's scary and fascinating at the same time. She is required to get samples from the male. Lou is equally freaked out and excited at the same time. She grows close with him, learning about him, feeling things for him. What about her mom and fiance? Yet, she can't help having feelings for Tarog. This can't end well.
Tarog is in awe of the little female. He doesn't like how the fat man who talks down to his female. His mate. They must get out of here together. They belong together. He has a plan, but will Lou go for it? Will she come live with him in forest with his family? Or will she run away from him.
Quick read.
Lou is a recent college graduate and is starting her first job at a science lab. Little does she know its all about to go south. Her boss is a jerk and treats her like crap. But what he shows her, makes up for everything. Right before her eyes is an Orc. It's scary and fascinating at the same time. She is required to get samples from the male. Lou is equally freaked out and excited at the same time. She grows close with him, learning about him, feeling things for him. What about her mom and fiance? Yet, she can't help having feelings for Tarog. This can't end well.
Tarog is in awe of the little female. He doesn't like how the fat man who talks down to his female. His mate. They must get out of here together. They belong together. He has a plan, but will Lou go for it? Will she come live with him in forest with his family? Or will she run away from him.
February 2, 2022
Tarog, the orc male lead, has been “captured” by humans and taken to a research facility as a subject. Louisa, the human female lead, is a recent university graduate desperate for a good job so she can afford her mother’s Alzheimer’s medication. Tarog knows he can escape but, after meeting Louisa, stays to convince her she’s his mate and to come with him to rejoin his people.
This story is dual POV, well written, and works through issues of the mental traps we build for ourselves in the lives we live. I enjoyed Louisa’s character development and the relationship development and, particularly, Tarog’s patience.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This story is dual POV, well written, and works through issues of the mental traps we build for ourselves in the lives we live. I enjoyed Louisa’s character development and the relationship development and, particularly, Tarog’s patience.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 5, 2022
Louisa gets a job at a research lab for her biochemistry degree. She finds to her surprise that an orc is being held captive. Her new job is to collect test samples from the orc.
Tarog enter this world through a portal and was captured. He needs to escape and return to the others that came with him. Meeting Louisa changes his plans. She is his mate.
Louisa is engaged to Sebastian. He quit his job. He just plays games and watches tv. They have been living with her mother. Louisa mother is showing signs of Alzheimer’s. He is not a supportive fiancé.
Will she help Tarog escape? Will she get rid of her jerk fiancé?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Tarog enter this world through a portal and was captured. He needs to escape and return to the others that came with him. Meeting Louisa changes his plans. She is his mate.
Louisa is engaged to Sebastian. He quit his job. He just plays games and watches tv. They have been living with her mother. Louisa mother is showing signs of Alzheimer’s. He is not a supportive fiancé.
Will she help Tarog escape? Will she get rid of her jerk fiancé?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 23, 2022
Good if your looking for fast orc romance
This is more a novella than a full novel. The premise of the story is good, but could have used a lot of character development and some world building. It's mostly insta love and leads up to orc sex, if that's what your looking for. I liked Torac, but the female main character, Lou isn't relatable. She just always does what she's told by her boyfriend, her boss, and then her orc. Also, his member is described as being so big around she can't close her hands around it. That made me cringe! So sexy time always feels like giving birth in reverse?? Not the worst monster romance, there aren't errors and the authors writing has promise. Id just like a bigger story, more details, and a little bit of reality in sizes.
This is more a novella than a full novel. The premise of the story is good, but could have used a lot of character development and some world building. It's mostly insta love and leads up to orc sex, if that's what your looking for. I liked Torac, but the female main character, Lou isn't relatable. She just always does what she's told by her boyfriend, her boss, and then her orc. Also, his member is described as being so big around she can't close her hands around it. That made me cringe! So sexy time always feels like giving birth in reverse?? Not the worst monster romance, there aren't errors and the authors writing has promise. Id just like a bigger story, more details, and a little bit of reality in sizes.
February 5, 2022
Louisa (Lou) is just too nice and puts up with a horrible boyfriend and a horrible boss at her new job. Tarog is an alien orc who's been captured and is the subject of scientific research. When Lou has to collect samples and look after Tarog as though he's a lab animal, there's an instant connection. Lou has to balance her relationships with her mother, her boyfriend, her boss and Tarog. Tarog wants to escape and get back to his friends, but his feelings for Lou complicate things, especially once he realizes she's his mate. This is a fun SFR with a slow build to steaminess and an HEA for the h/H.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 5, 2022
Lou has started her first job - at the IMRA. She is engaged to Sebastion - and looking after her mother, who is in the early stages of alzeimers.
On her first day, she learns that her job will consist mainly of collecting specimen - from an Orc.
Tarog is huge - green - and has tusks! But that is it about him that makes her want to help him in any way that she can? He says she is her mate - but what does that even mean?
Will Lou be able to save Tarog from the Insitute which holds him prisonner? Will they really be able to have a life together?
Loved it!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
On her first day, she learns that her job will consist mainly of collecting specimen - from an Orc.
Tarog is huge - green - and has tusks! But that is it about him that makes her want to help him in any way that she can? He says she is her mate - but what does that even mean?
Will Lou be able to save Tarog from the Insitute which holds him prisonner? Will they really be able to have a life together?
Loved it!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 5, 2022
Captured and called a monster
Cara Wylde is one of my auto buy authors and she didn’t miss with this book. What would it be like if you were suddenly pulled off your planet and hunted by some odd creatures that wanted to experiment on you? If you were Torag you would lead them away from your family and intentionally get caught so your family was safe. Could he find his mate from this cage? Louisa had just graduated and became a scientist in a research facility but did she know what they were researching or how? I love how Cara brings these two together for a hea. I would recommend this this book to anyone who likes a short and sweet hea.
Cara Wylde is one of my auto buy authors and she didn’t miss with this book. What would it be like if you were suddenly pulled off your planet and hunted by some odd creatures that wanted to experiment on you? If you were Torag you would lead them away from your family and intentionally get caught so your family was safe. Could he find his mate from this cage? Louisa had just graduated and became a scientist in a research facility but did she know what they were researching or how? I love how Cara brings these two together for a hea. I would recommend this this book to anyone who likes a short and sweet hea.
February 6, 2022
Cute story!
This was a bit different than Cara Wylde's Orc series, but this is a whole different series. I really enjoyed the story as a whole. Lou gets a job working what she thinks is a mundane job at a lab. Ends up being a super secret monster lab instead. Lou meets alien (Torag the Orc) but doesn't freak. She is assigned to get samples from him... he on the other hand has discovered that she is the mate he's been searching for. They bond over time and eventually helps him escape before he is killed. They get her mom and run off to the mountains to find the rest of his family.
Loved it!!
I received an ARC for my honest review.
This was a bit different than Cara Wylde's Orc series, but this is a whole different series. I really enjoyed the story as a whole. Lou gets a job working what she thinks is a mundane job at a lab. Ends up being a super secret monster lab instead. Lou meets alien (Torag the Orc) but doesn't freak. She is assigned to get samples from him... he on the other hand has discovered that she is the mate he's been searching for. They bond over time and eventually helps him escape before he is killed. They get her mom and run off to the mountains to find the rest of his family.
Loved it!!
I received an ARC for my honest review.
February 8, 2022
A romantic story of fated mates. Tarog came through a portal, got caught by a government agency, was treated badly in his captivity, but the find his fated mate as his care taker. Lousia was in a bad relationship, had a mother with alzheimers, started a new job with a terrible boss, was blissfully ignorant of alien orcs until she became a care taker of one. Tarog was patient in waiting in captivity until Lou realized they were meant for one another. Once Lou came to her senses, life changed for the better for them and to find their happily ever after.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 19, 2023
Beautiful
I messed up and read Book 2 first. I was so upset with the way the humans were treating the MMC in that book I stopped midway. Now that I’ve read the story of Lou and her alien Orc and enjoyed it, I will go back and finish ok two. This book was full of sexual tension and a bit of a slow burn. I didn’t think they would ever get to the actual mating! I enjoyed how much the Orc loved Lou. He was fervent in his adoration from the start. And I’m glad they got their HEA, I was so scared they would get caught. The world building is unique because the aliens are on Earth and they are the test subjects. The characters are engaging, you either love or hate them.
I messed up and read Book 2 first. I was so upset with the way the humans were treating the MMC in that book I stopped midway. Now that I’ve read the story of Lou and her alien Orc and enjoyed it, I will go back and finish ok two. This book was full of sexual tension and a bit of a slow burn. I didn’t think they would ever get to the actual mating! I enjoyed how much the Orc loved Lou. He was fervent in his adoration from the start. And I’m glad they got their HEA, I was so scared they would get caught. The world building is unique because the aliens are on Earth and they are the test subjects. The characters are engaging, you either love or hate them.
January 20, 2022
Louisa (Lou) first job is more challenging than she expected. Lou is working for International Monster Research Association. Her new job is to look after and collect samples from Tarog. Tarog is big green and an Orc. Lou and Tarog slowly become freinds. But Tarog wants alot more from Lou than freindship. This is a great sory with interensting characters. I look forward to reading more by this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 24, 2022
I know i say this about all these Orc books by Cara but heck this was so enjoyable, honestly this was another book that i really didnt want to put down.
I loved Louisas character, she was such a wonderful person, but honestly i dont know why she stayed with that boyfriend of hers lol.... Tarog was so much better as she came to find out. And i just loved the HEA in the end couldnt of got any better in my opinion.
Im not going to do any spoilers really because this authors blurb says it all!.... Go Orcs lol.
Five stars plus
I loved Louisas character, she was such a wonderful person, but honestly i dont know why she stayed with that boyfriend of hers lol.... Tarog was so much better as she came to find out. And i just loved the HEA in the end couldnt of got any better in my opinion.
Im not going to do any spoilers really because this authors blurb says it all!.... Go Orcs lol.
Five stars plus
February 1, 2022
A very enjoyable story about Lou and Tarog that starts this Monster Hearts series. The story kept my interest throughout. Tarog is held captive by the IMRA a research facility that Lou has just been hired to take samples. Tarog recognizes that Lou is his mate, so he allows her to take samples. Lou does this even hurting Tarog until she her life is threaten. Does Tarog come to her rescue and escape IMRA? This is an enjoyable story that has likable characters (Liked Tarog more), steamy romance and engaging action with touches of humor that I volunteer to read and review via Booksprout.
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