What do you think?
Rate this book
Bellhaven Clan #2
Her Orc Guardian
At my father’s dying wish, I crossed the realm, looking for his best friend…and ended up in an orc camp.
It turns out the friend I’d heard so much about is actually an orc, a warrior with more scars than I can count and a surly disposition.
And after reading the letter my father sent him, he declares himself my guardian - and me his ward.
Which wouldn’t be a problem if he wasn’t intent on marrying me off to some human stranger, even though the tension between us grows with every touch and every heated, forbidden look.
Sometimes, though, a woman has to take her fate and pleasure in her own hands, and after being told what to do my entire life, I’m not taking any more chances. I want to learn more about myself. And I think my guardian might be the right man for the job.
Her Orc Guardian is an orc fantasy romance with a large, scarred hero and an innocent heroine who quickly learns she enjoys everything her body is capable of. You’ll love this story if you like reading about size difference issues, age-gap relationships, and grumpy heroes who fall for spirited heroines. This is the second book in a series of standalones - each book can be read separately and features a happily-ever-after for the main couple. All characters in this book are of age and enthusiastically consent to every spicy thing that happens.
It turns out the friend I’d heard so much about is actually an orc, a warrior with more scars than I can count and a surly disposition.
And after reading the letter my father sent him, he declares himself my guardian - and me his ward.
Which wouldn’t be a problem if he wasn’t intent on marrying me off to some human stranger, even though the tension between us grows with every touch and every heated, forbidden look.
Sometimes, though, a woman has to take her fate and pleasure in her own hands, and after being told what to do my entire life, I’m not taking any more chances. I want to learn more about myself. And I think my guardian might be the right man for the job.
Her Orc Guardian is an orc fantasy romance with a large, scarred hero and an innocent heroine who quickly learns she enjoys everything her body is capable of. You’ll love this story if you like reading about size difference issues, age-gap relationships, and grumpy heroes who fall for spirited heroines. This is the second book in a series of standalones - each book can be read separately and features a happily-ever-after for the main couple. All characters in this book are of age and enthusiastically consent to every spicy thing that happens.
230 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 7, 2022
440 people are currently reading
924 people want to read
About the author
Zoe Ashwood
42 books915 followersZoe Ashwood writes sexy paranormal romance for women who believe in magic and true love.
She's in love with the art of making up stories - and making her characters fall in love.
Get a FREE orc romance by joining her newsletter !
You can also find her on: Facebook - Instagram - Pinterest.
She's in love with the art of making up stories - and making her characters fall in love.
Get a FREE orc romance by joining her newsletter !
You can also find her on: Facebook - Instagram - Pinterest.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 279 reviews
April 22, 2024
I actually liked this better than the first book..I’m a sucker for a scarred, selfless hero who finds himself unloveable 🥹 let me love you baby 🤣
Tropes
💚fated mates
💚age gap
Spice
3.5/5 🌶️
This is SPICY and it’s probably a little more smut than plot but the scenes were pretty well written and didn’t seem like the same thing over and over
Tropes
💚fated mates
💚age gap
Spice
3.5/5 🌶️
This is SPICY and it’s probably a little more smut than plot but the scenes were pretty well written and didn’t seem like the same thing over and over
October 5, 2022
"I have waited my entire life to claim a mate. But I never knew how much I needed to be claimed in return."
4.5 stars!
I've been looking forward to this book since I finished Dawn and Gorvor's story, and I am happy to say that I was not disappointed! Poppy and Steagor were both broken and beaten-down souls who yearned for family and a sense of loyalty, but both were beyond terrified to grasp for it. I loved watching Poppy gain her confidence in herself and her abilities, while Steagor finally succumbed to the mate pull he felt for Poppy. As always, Zoe's writing was effortless and easy to read, allowing Poppy and Steagor's chemistry and interactions to be heartfelt and so steamy. I am so stoked for the next book in this series as the stoic Vark will finally get his HEA♡
Tropes: fated mates, heroine-on-the-run, alpha hero, age gap, size difference, reluctant hero, smutastic, knotting
*ARC provided by the author, and I voluntarily reviewed it*
April 2, 2023
I liked Her Orc Guardian but at the same time, I was frustrated with how the H approached the relationship. The h is a human woman who traveled to find the H after the death of her father, with a letter for him. She didn't know that the H was actually an orc or that her father had named him her guardian upon his death. The h was running towards him with the letter, but also away from her stepmother who was awful. The H then does quite a bit of trying to hold the h at arms length because he recognizes she's his mate, but he's older, has been named her guardian, and he wants her to have choices. Except it didn't have that feel since the h didn't know that was his intention and just wanted him due to a connection she didn't quite understand. The h felt like she couldn't have him though because of how he acted.
I did like that even though the h was fairly innocent, she had a resiliency to her and determination. I loved that she was skilled and was able to do work on her own. The H was a big, scarred, sort of grumpy warrior who really wanted to claim his mate, but also needed to feel like he was being claimed in return (he just needed to be better at communicating). There were some sweet moments to balance out the push/pull. The side characters of the other orcs and the human queen of the orcs (who was the h of book 1) were all wonderful. This book does standalone well and like book 1, it has plenty of steam, including knotting. Written in first person, single POV of the heroine (which also emphasized the lack of understanding where the H was coming from). No ow drama and sort of om drama I guess? The H tries to marry the h off because of him trying to give her options, sigh. The H didn't appear to be a virgin, but no history given, and the h was a virgin with limited understanding of how physical intimacy worked.
I really liked the epilogue, it's a year in the future with them happy and settled. There's adorableness and a bit more steam so the ending felt very satisfying emotionally. I'm still going to continue the series.
I did like that even though the h was fairly innocent, she had a resiliency to her and determination. I loved that she was skilled and was able to do work on her own. The H was a big, scarred, sort of grumpy warrior who really wanted to claim his mate, but also needed to feel like he was being claimed in return (he just needed to be better at communicating). There were some sweet moments to balance out the push/pull. The side characters of the other orcs and the human queen of the orcs (who was the h of book 1) were all wonderful. This book does standalone well and like book 1, it has plenty of steam, including knotting. Written in first person, single POV of the heroine (which also emphasized the lack of understanding where the H was coming from). No ow drama and sort of om drama I guess? The H tries to marry the h off because of him trying to give her options, sigh. The H didn't appear to be a virgin, but no history given, and the h was a virgin with limited understanding of how physical intimacy worked.
I really liked the epilogue, it's a year in the future with them happy and settled. There's adorableness and a bit more steam so the ending felt very satisfying emotionally. I'm still going to continue the series.
October 18, 2022
I will never stop being ABSOLUTELY FERAL for the orc mate trope.
Tusks for life, babes. 🤩
Tusks for life, babes. 🤩
July 21, 2025
Did a reread of this and realized I hadn't written a review.
"I have waited my entire life to claim a mate. But I never knew how much I needed to be claimed in return."
I love the whole series but Steagor and Poppy are my favorite couple. Grumpy, scarred older orc male who just wants to find his mate and have a family of his own? YES YES YES
The romance is swoony. The spice is excellent. And I love seeing them both heal their past trauma together. Totally recommend this series for anyone who enjoys low stakes, swoony orc romances.
"I have waited my entire life to claim a mate. But I never knew how much I needed to be claimed in return."
I love the whole series but Steagor and Poppy are my favorite couple. Grumpy, scarred older orc male who just wants to find his mate and have a family of his own? YES YES YES
The romance is swoony. The spice is excellent. And I love seeing them both heal their past trauma together. Totally recommend this series for anyone who enjoys low stakes, swoony orc romances.
February 19, 2024
4 - 4.5 stars!
Her Orc Guardian is the second book in the Black Bear Clan series and features Poppy and Steagor. After the death of her father, Poppy travels with a letter to find her father's good friend. Not knowing what the contents of the letter are, she is surprised when it asks Steagor to be her ward and find her a suitable husband. Poppy is not ok with that plan and wants the grumpy and scarred Orc instead.
Steagor never thought he would find his mate and certainly not in his old friend's daughter but he believes he is too damaged to keep a mate and tries to do as the letter requested. However, Poppy is a force and she isn't giving up so easily. These two eventually give into their chemistry.
There is such a wonderful slow burn even for an erotic novel and a delicious push and pull. Poppy is tenacious and I like that she isn't afraid to ask for what she needs and wants from Steagor.
Steagor was such a possessive alpha and dominant in the sweetest ways. Poppy and Steagor deserved each other and I loved the way they found their way to their HEA.
Her Orc Guardian was another great installment in this world and I am definitely enjoying these fierce and alpha Orc males that find their life mates and give them everything.
Her Orc Guardian is the second book in the Black Bear Clan series and features Poppy and Steagor. After the death of her father, Poppy travels with a letter to find her father's good friend. Not knowing what the contents of the letter are, she is surprised when it asks Steagor to be her ward and find her a suitable husband. Poppy is not ok with that plan and wants the grumpy and scarred Orc instead.
Steagor never thought he would find his mate and certainly not in his old friend's daughter but he believes he is too damaged to keep a mate and tries to do as the letter requested. However, Poppy is a force and she isn't giving up so easily. These two eventually give into their chemistry.
“Your scent is indescribable. I know your pussy is wet even without touching you.” The words settle in me, heavy and potent. He’s scenting the core of me, where I’m slick and hot and aching, and he likes it. I close my eyes and lean my head back against the cool bark. “None of that,” Steagor barks. “You look at me when I make you come.”
There is such a wonderful slow burn even for an erotic novel and a delicious push and pull. Poppy is tenacious and I like that she isn't afraid to ask for what she needs and wants from Steagor.
“I said, I love you. And I don’t care about some scars. You’re mine. Just as you are.”
Steagor was such a possessive alpha and dominant in the sweetest ways. Poppy and Steagor deserved each other and I loved the way they found their way to their HEA.
“I have waited my entire life to claim a mate. But I never knew how much I needed to be claimed in return.”
Her Orc Guardian was another great installment in this world and I am definitely enjoying these fierce and alpha Orc males that find their life mates and give them everything.
August 3, 2023
Segundo libro de la saga Black Bear Clan. Voy a ser sincera. El libro tiene sus cosas. Sin embargo, es entretenido y me lo he pasado bien leyéndolo. Necesito oxigenar el cerebro de lecturas densas y esto me proporciona una vía de escape.
¿Está bien? Sí.
¿Tiene fallos? Sí. Muchos los mismos que siempre veo desde un punto de vista literario.
¿Peca de fan-service? Obviamente y bien que me lo he pasado, yo no engaño a nadie.
En conclusión, está decente, los personajes son semi creíbles, pero al menos no llegan a ser moralmente cuestionables y se pasa un buen rato.
¿Está bien? Sí.
¿Tiene fallos? Sí. Muchos los mismos que siempre veo desde un punto de vista literario.
¿Peca de fan-service? Obviamente y bien que me lo he pasado, yo no engaño a nadie.
En conclusión, está decente, los personajes son semi creíbles, pero al menos no llegan a ser moralmente cuestionables y se pasa un buen rato.
October 9, 2022
This one made me angry! You cannot have true consent and true choice if it is not informed. This dude knows that she is his mate right away and decides that he’s not gonna tell her because he’s allowing her the choice. That’s sucky! How can she choose without knowing the facts!?
He barely communicates with her until close to the end of the book. He is pushing her away and then gets pretty physically intimate with her and then tries to find her someone else right after. It drove me nuts! I still like this world but this particular story drove me crazy. He describes her as young and innocent.
She is a “sweet virgin“. And instead of talking to her about what she wants, he decides to go down on her to “show her what her body wants“. I just had so many moments in this book where I just wanted to hit him in the face.
What drives me crazy too is that his “giving her choice” is lauded towards the end as allowing her to be more independent. His lack of communication and unwillingness to tell her the truth is treated as if it’s a good thing and I don’t feel like it is!
He barely communicates with her until close to the end of the book. He is pushing her away and then gets pretty physically intimate with her and then tries to find her someone else right after. It drove me nuts! I still like this world but this particular story drove me crazy. He describes her as young and innocent.
She is a “sweet virgin“. And instead of talking to her about what she wants, he decides to go down on her to “show her what her body wants“. I just had so many moments in this book where I just wanted to hit him in the face.
What drives me crazy too is that his “giving her choice” is lauded towards the end as allowing her to be more independent. His lack of communication and unwillingness to tell her the truth is treated as if it’s a good thing and I don’t feel like it is!
February 19, 2024
I read this in October and I still do not know how to review this book. I loved this book, the dominance, the sexy scenes, all the above just f bombing yum. I need to get back to this series ASAP.
November 18, 2022
I loved this so much 😍
After her fathers death, Poppy finds herself traveling across the realm to find his best friend and deliver a letter. She had no idea he was an orc or that her father made him her guardian. Steagor tries marrying her off immediately even though she feels connected to him. He clearly wants nothing to do with her but doesn’t know why.
This was amazing! Poppy is so sweet and determined. She’s a tad inexperienced but Steagor is right there to guide her. I love how possessive and protective he is and the little things he does for her. He’s always looking out for her whether she knows it or not. And their chemistry is off the charts!! 🔥🔥 I already want to re-read this.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
After her fathers death, Poppy finds herself traveling across the realm to find his best friend and deliver a letter. She had no idea he was an orc or that her father made him her guardian. Steagor tries marrying her off immediately even though she feels connected to him. He clearly wants nothing to do with her but doesn’t know why.
This was amazing! Poppy is so sweet and determined. She’s a tad inexperienced but Steagor is right there to guide her. I love how possessive and protective he is and the little things he does for her. He’s always looking out for her whether she knows it or not. And their chemistry is off the charts!! 🔥🔥 I already want to re-read this.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
July 4, 2023
FERAL. That’s the best word to describe how I felt while reading this book. I read this in one sitting and that’s not something I can do often for a multitude of reasons. I loved it so much and I’m going to list some tropes to convince you to read it.
Tropes:
Age Gap
Fated Mates
Size Difference
Knotting
Heroine on the run
Alpha Hero
Reluctant Hero
Virgin Heroine
Touch her and die
Scared Hero
There’s a delicious Primal scene.
Tropes:
Age Gap
Fated Mates
Size Difference
Knotting
Heroine on the run
Alpha Hero
Reluctant Hero
Virgin Heroine
Touch her and die
Scared Hero
There’s a delicious Primal scene.
July 5, 2024
This was a sweet age gap romance with a stoic MMC and soft hearted, but occasionally fierce FMC. They couldn’t keep their hands off one another, which seems par for the course for this series, and Steagar had a hard time feeling good enough for her. He misstepped a LOT and I was expecting a but more grovel from him, but Poppy seemed to be able to let things go pretty quickly. He was supportive and tender with her.
Spice: 5/5
Spoilers in trigger warnings
Triggers: starvation, severe illness, discussion of abusive stepparent, death of parent (off page), murder of sibling and parents (off page), painful sex, pregnancy of side character, pregnancy (off page)
Spice: 5/5
Spoilers in trigger warnings
Triggers: starvation, severe illness, discussion of abusive stepparent, death of parent (off page), murder of sibling and parents (off page), painful sex, pregnancy of side character, pregnancy (off page)
December 2, 2022
This book was so cute. I actually loved it. This has to be one of the best Irc books I’ve read. The relationship between the two is amazing, the chemistry, the banter.
I highly recommend if you are looking for a quick and easy orc read.
Tropes
- touch her and I’ll kill you
- fated mates
- protective
- innocent heroine
- scarred hero
CW
- loss of a parent
- mentions of murder (past)
I highly recommend if you are looking for a quick and easy orc read.
Tropes
- touch her and I’ll kill you
- fated mates
- protective
- innocent heroine
- scarred hero
CW
- loss of a parent
- mentions of murder (past)
March 29, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
Sometimes I need a break from dark romances and this is what I needed..it was a nice romance..I liked the characters (especially the sexy orc)..and the storyline was good and the author writes well..I did enjoy this 😊
Sometimes I need a break from dark romances and this is what I needed..it was a nice romance..I liked the characters (especially the sexy orc)..and the storyline was good and the author writes well..I did enjoy this 😊
September 17, 2024
Smut with no plot, and I loved every second of it. Also so much better than the first book.
April 19, 2023
STEAGOR IS EVERYTHING 😭😭😭
November 17, 2024
I was in the mood for another cozy monster romance and I knew just where to turn…the Black Bear Clan orcs 🖤🧌
After the loss of her father Poppy goes in search of the person she was told to seek out in the event of his death. After struggling through the countryside, starving and weak she stumbles into an orc camp and finds herself face to face with the man she’s been searching for. After being nursed back to health by the Clan her guardian is set on finding her a husband as her dad had willed him to….but Poppy has other plans.
Once Poppy realizes her attraction and infatuation with her orc guardian she knows she can’t let him give her up. Steagor while facing his own demons and baggage is trying to deny Poppy and the pull he can’t seem to let go of that follows her. The push and pull between these two was absolutely delicious and I could not wait for it to break.
I LOVE POPPY. This girl takes no shit and gives 0 f*cks. I love seeing a time piece where the FMC stands on her own two feet and doesn’t feed into the damsel in distress role. And her big burly scarred mate? 🥵
Honestly these orcs are such a cute cozy go to series for me and I always know what I’m gonna get which is a good ass time. This one was an audio listen and I didn’t mind the single narrator….that accent tho???? 😮💨
After the loss of her father Poppy goes in search of the person she was told to seek out in the event of his death. After struggling through the countryside, starving and weak she stumbles into an orc camp and finds herself face to face with the man she’s been searching for. After being nursed back to health by the Clan her guardian is set on finding her a husband as her dad had willed him to….but Poppy has other plans.
Once Poppy realizes her attraction and infatuation with her orc guardian she knows she can’t let him give her up. Steagor while facing his own demons and baggage is trying to deny Poppy and the pull he can’t seem to let go of that follows her. The push and pull between these two was absolutely delicious and I could not wait for it to break.
I LOVE POPPY. This girl takes no shit and gives 0 f*cks. I love seeing a time piece where the FMC stands on her own two feet and doesn’t feed into the damsel in distress role. And her big burly scarred mate? 🥵
Honestly these orcs are such a cute cozy go to series for me and I always know what I’m gonna get which is a good ass time. This one was an audio listen and I didn’t mind the single narrator….that accent tho???? 😮💨
June 18, 2024
I was obsessed with the first one so there are no words for how much I loved this second one. There was less spice, but more storyline and I felt all the feels.
I LOVED Poppy. She stood up for herself and said how she felt and I just kept saying “YES GIRL!”
And Steagor 🫠🫠 he has all the right intentions wanting to give Poppy the freedom to choose her own future but DAMN listen to the woman Steagor! But it’s okay I still love him so much.
I LOVED Poppy. She stood up for herself and said how she felt and I just kept saying “YES GIRL!”
And Steagor 🫠🫠 he has all the right intentions wanting to give Poppy the freedom to choose her own future but DAMN listen to the woman Steagor! But it’s okay I still love him so much.
August 31, 2023
Love this series
Rating: 5/5 ⭐️
Spice: 4/5 🌶️
Loved Steagor and Poppy’s story so much. It reminded me of my beloved historical romance books, but with orcs, and that makes it 3000 times better!
And the spicy scenes delivered, oh yes, they did 🥵
Rating: 5/5 ⭐️
Spice: 4/5 🌶️
Loved Steagor and Poppy’s story so much. It reminded me of my beloved historical romance books, but with orcs, and that makes it 3000 times better!
And the spicy scenes delivered, oh yes, they did 🥵
January 3, 2023
MUCH better than book 2!
Might as well binge so on to book 3!
Might as well binge so on to book 3!
November 30, 2023
Cute, low stakes orc romance. What’s not to love.
April 8, 2023
If there was an actual plot in this, I missed it. I liked it anyway. It loses a star cuz the main Sunshine character was just being rejected left and right for waaayyy too long by the Grumpy character. There’s a fine line between grumpy and an asshole. Don’t take that shit!
May 25, 2024
Why is she such a crybaby??!
May 23, 2023
As suspected, I enjoyed this one overall better than the first book. 3.5 rounded up to 4
I liked Poppy as a character from the get-go. She sounds short, round, and determined. She was brave to push herself on the journey she's on at the beginning of the book and relatively smart about it. I also liked that she grew a backbone around Steagor and, in her own words, "For the first time in my life, I feel the urge to take over my own fate. To rebel against what others want for me—from me." Hell yeah!
I also enjoyed her journey to realizing she's an independent adult who can make her own decisions and choices. "My heart thumps hard, and a strange sense of wonder takes over me, the knowledge that I can do things on my own." Hell, I sometimes suddenly realize this myself. I'll find myself randomly thinking to myself, 'Wait a minute, why can't I do XYZ?' and look into it and see if it's feasible or not. Sometimes we get so caught up in the responsibilities and exhausting, neverending decisions of adulthood that we forget we have the freedom to make fun choices, too.
Steagor was alright. I like seeing the solemn, scowling character find his ray of sunshine and let slip some laughs and smiles. I would have liked him a lot more if the bulk of the conflict of the story wasn't him refusing to communicate with Poppy. Once he finally gets his head out of his ass, he's more likable.
I was annoyed, again, about some of the naivete the author tries giving the female character. In this one, I'm supposed to believe that a grown woman wouldn't even be able to recognize the feelings of sexual arousal. Like really? It's pretty natural and obvious and a basic part of growing up. Having little experience? Sure. But being oblivious to even understanding what being turned on feels like??? Cut me a break. There's no freaking way. ESPECIALLY given how quickly she learns otherwise. Absolute nonsense.
The whole public sex thing is apparently going to be a continual thing for the series so meh on that. Poppy actually says "I remind myself that orcs view lovemaking as a normal part of a relationship, not as shameful or something to be hidden." That's ... a shitty thing to say. If that statement were made about nudity, then I'd totally agree. It's really conveniently ignoring the whole issue of consent. I guess it's assumed if you're using the communal baths - even though most orcs don't have access to anything else - that you're consenting to people fucking in them, too? And Poppy faces a friend congratulating her on having sex in the baths because he'd heard her. You might be able to deal with a friend that's happy for you but what about other folks? Mentors? Family members? Your parents? Siblings?
While that harvest festival in the first book clearly had children leaving the festival before it turned into an orgy, the public baths are consistently described as being very steamy and while you can hear other folks there, you can't necessarily see them. Poppy expresses interest in public sex "as long as we don’t traumatize any minors" but it's never mentioned if they bother to check for the kids in the baths? If the orcs are so serious about cleanliness then surely orc kids would be bathing pretty frequently? It just doesn't make sense to me.
I liked Poppy as a character from the get-go. She sounds short, round, and determined. She was brave to push herself on the journey she's on at the beginning of the book and relatively smart about it. I also liked that she grew a backbone around Steagor and, in her own words, "For the first time in my life, I feel the urge to take over my own fate. To rebel against what others want for me—from me." Hell yeah!
I also enjoyed her journey to realizing she's an independent adult who can make her own decisions and choices. "My heart thumps hard, and a strange sense of wonder takes over me, the knowledge that I can do things on my own." Hell, I sometimes suddenly realize this myself. I'll find myself randomly thinking to myself, 'Wait a minute, why can't I do XYZ?' and look into it and see if it's feasible or not. Sometimes we get so caught up in the responsibilities and exhausting, neverending decisions of adulthood that we forget we have the freedom to make fun choices, too.
Steagor was alright. I like seeing the solemn, scowling character find his ray of sunshine and let slip some laughs and smiles. I would have liked him a lot more if the bulk of the conflict of the story wasn't him refusing to communicate with Poppy. Once he finally gets his head out of his ass, he's more likable.
I was annoyed, again, about some of the naivete the author tries giving the female character. In this one, I'm supposed to believe that a grown woman wouldn't even be able to recognize the feelings of sexual arousal. Like really? It's pretty natural and obvious and a basic part of growing up. Having little experience? Sure. But being oblivious to even understanding what being turned on feels like??? Cut me a break. There's no freaking way. ESPECIALLY given how quickly she learns otherwise. Absolute nonsense.
The whole public sex thing is apparently going to be a continual thing for the series so meh on that. Poppy actually says "I remind myself that orcs view lovemaking as a normal part of a relationship, not as shameful or something to be hidden." That's ... a shitty thing to say. If that statement were made about nudity, then I'd totally agree. It's really conveniently ignoring the whole issue of consent. I guess it's assumed if you're using the communal baths - even though most orcs don't have access to anything else - that you're consenting to people fucking in them, too? And Poppy faces a friend congratulating her on having sex in the baths because he'd heard her. You might be able to deal with a friend that's happy for you but what about other folks? Mentors? Family members? Your parents? Siblings?
While that harvest festival in the first book clearly had children leaving the festival before it turned into an orgy, the public baths are consistently described as being very steamy and while you can hear other folks there, you can't necessarily see them. Poppy expresses interest in public sex "as long as we don’t traumatize any minors" but it's never mentioned if they bother to check for the kids in the baths? If the orcs are so serious about cleanliness then surely orc kids would be bathing pretty frequently? It just doesn't make sense to me.
May 1, 2023
3.5 stars
I didn’t like this book as much as the first one. There was too much push and pull on Steagor’s part and the reasons were super unclear to me, until a ways through the book (like 70% or something) when it turns out it’s because he wants to give Poppy a choice and didn’t want to push their matehood on her. Which is all well and good, but I still didn’t like how he went about it, and the fact that the story is told in first person, uniquely from her perspective, makes you miss out on that reasoning for too long. There was no real conflict in this book except for that, and I hate when that’s the conflict—both of the characters are into each other, but one is determined to avoid the attraction and push the other person into another relationship with someone else. There was no specific “someone else” in this instance, so thankful at least for that.
I didn’t like this book as much as the first one. There was too much push and pull on Steagor’s part and the reasons were super unclear to me, until a ways through the book (like 70% or something) when it turns out it’s because he wants to give Poppy a choice and didn’t want to push their matehood on her. Which is all well and good, but I still didn’t like how he went about it, and the fact that the story is told in first person, uniquely from her perspective, makes you miss out on that reasoning for too long. There was no real conflict in this book except for that, and I hate when that’s the conflict—both of the characters are into each other, but one is determined to avoid the attraction and push the other person into another relationship with someone else. There was no specific “someone else” in this instance, so thankful at least for that.
November 19, 2022
4⭐
I enjoyed this one so much more than book 1 from the series. The pacing issues I had with the first book were non-existent here. I loved the development of their relationship.
✅ Age gap
✅ Fated Mates
✅ Scarred Hero
✅ A smidgen of Primal
*Pregnancy is mentioned in the epilogue.*
Excited for the next one!
Series Ratings
Book 1: Her Orc King -(Dawn/Gorvor) 3⭐
Book 2: Her Orc Guardian -(Poppy/Steagor) 4⭐
I enjoyed this one so much more than book 1 from the series. The pacing issues I had with the first book were non-existent here. I loved the development of their relationship.
✅ Age gap
✅ Fated Mates
✅ Scarred Hero
✅ A smidgen of Primal
*Pregnancy is mentioned in the epilogue.*
Excited for the next one!
Series Ratings
Book 1: Her Orc King -(Dawn/Gorvor) 3⭐
Book 2: Her Orc Guardian -(Poppy/Steagor) 4⭐
April 7, 2024
🔥🔥🔥
I was completely hooked on this book from start to finish—truly an amazing read. It's filled with moments that are both steamy and incredibly sensual, leaving you feeling the heat! The plot is crafted beautifully, pulling you deep into the story. The characters are vibrant and charismatic, with their perspectives presented in a way that's easy to connect with. The glimpses into their backstories were a great touch, adding depth and helping us get a real sense of who the main characters are.
I was completely hooked on this book from start to finish—truly an amazing read. It's filled with moments that are both steamy and incredibly sensual, leaving you feeling the heat! The plot is crafted beautifully, pulling you deep into the story. The characters are vibrant and charismatic, with their perspectives presented in a way that's easy to connect with. The glimpses into their backstories were a great touch, adding depth and helping us get a real sense of who the main characters are.
July 20, 2025
Read if you like: orc x human, forced proximity, size difference, age gap (16 years), scarred MMC, fated mates, knots, fast burn
This was a short fast burn story. Steagor feels obligated to try find Poppy a husband, but he finds it difficult to let her go. Poppy quickly falls in love with Steagor and doesn’t understand why he is so hot and cold with her.
Read this if you like lots of smut! The fmc doesn’t really communicate that well and is extremely naive, and the mmc is scarred and pushes the fmc away a lot.
This was a short fast burn story. Steagor feels obligated to try find Poppy a husband, but he finds it difficult to let her go. Poppy quickly falls in love with Steagor and doesn’t understand why he is so hot and cold with her.
Read this if you like lots of smut! The fmc doesn’t really communicate that well and is extremely naive, and the mmc is scarred and pushes the fmc away a lot.
October 8, 2022
This was a great story full of chemistry and steam. I enjoy the grumpy/sunshine trope and the author did a fab job with this :) When Poppy finds Steagor, well, they have that life attitude to work through, but also an age gap and species difference to challenge them. Their relationship built in a believable way and I really enjoyed following them along as they found their way. I'm looking forward to more stories set in this world :D
May 11, 2024
Nobody talk to me. I'm processing how much I loved this.
If I didn't have to be a grown adult woman and go to a job, this would have been a one sitting read for me! I had to force myself to put it down and go to bed.
I loved him, I loved her, I was back in the forest, running from a hot orc while my cloak swished behind me. Escapism at its finest.
If I didn't have to be a grown adult woman and go to a job, this would have been a one sitting read for me! I had to force myself to put it down and go to bed.
I loved him, I loved her, I was back in the forest, running from a hot orc while my cloak swished behind me. Escapism at its finest.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 279 reviews