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Orc Matched #1
Rhuger's Pearl
"‘I would worship you if you let me.’ And I would. Gods, I’d fall to my knees at the altar of her body and roar her holiness to the stars."
AMELIA
Grandma Ruth’s Tolkien-inspired bed-and-breakfast holds a secret, a broken interstellar gate. She tells me my grandfather wasn’t human, but an orckin who had come to Earth through the gate, and returned to his home planet through it. Getting the gate to work to find him was the easy part. Now, face-first in the dirt of his home planet, I have no plan. No way to get back, either.
Rhuger finds me. A seven-foot-tall green orc bristling with weapons whose sinful mouth and dark laughter make my heart race. With his help as my bodyguard, I’m navigating this new world. But I’ve been given two weeks by the Rìgh of the Oc’Dellor to find a mate within the clan, or risk being married off to avoid war. I know who I’d choose if I could. But Rhuger has made it clear that I am his duty, nothing more. Though he can’t keep his hand out of mine.
RHUGER
Never in a thousand years did I imagine finding a lush female within the Craobh na Beatha, the holy six-winged tree. She’s orckin, but not entirely. Amelia’s a rare beauty, but I’m an exile from a rival clan, barely accepted into the Oc’Dellor despite my prowess as a warrior. Appointed as her bodyguard, I keep having to remind myself that someone like her is not meant for someone like me.
But it’s not just Amelia’s soft curves and bowed mouth that haunts my dreams. It’s how she perceives and moves through my world with awe and gentleness, how her touch awakens something within me. When Rìgh Orok of the Oc’Turin makes a play for her hand, I’d do anything to prevent her from living the nightmares of my past. Including fighting against everything that would tear us apart in order to make her mine.
This is a 180,000 word, full-length, slow-burn, high heat, sci-fi alien orc romance with a plus-sized sunshine autistic FMC, grumpy morally grey MMC, intense world-building, epic fantasy, plenty of simping, hurt/comfort, who hurt you?, fated mates, and a guaranteed HEA.
The Content Awareness section is on the author’s website and at the back of the book.
AMELIA
Grandma Ruth’s Tolkien-inspired bed-and-breakfast holds a secret, a broken interstellar gate. She tells me my grandfather wasn’t human, but an orckin who had come to Earth through the gate, and returned to his home planet through it. Getting the gate to work to find him was the easy part. Now, face-first in the dirt of his home planet, I have no plan. No way to get back, either.
Rhuger finds me. A seven-foot-tall green orc bristling with weapons whose sinful mouth and dark laughter make my heart race. With his help as my bodyguard, I’m navigating this new world. But I’ve been given two weeks by the Rìgh of the Oc’Dellor to find a mate within the clan, or risk being married off to avoid war. I know who I’d choose if I could. But Rhuger has made it clear that I am his duty, nothing more. Though he can’t keep his hand out of mine.
RHUGER
Never in a thousand years did I imagine finding a lush female within the Craobh na Beatha, the holy six-winged tree. She’s orckin, but not entirely. Amelia’s a rare beauty, but I’m an exile from a rival clan, barely accepted into the Oc’Dellor despite my prowess as a warrior. Appointed as her bodyguard, I keep having to remind myself that someone like her is not meant for someone like me.
But it’s not just Amelia’s soft curves and bowed mouth that haunts my dreams. It’s how she perceives and moves through my world with awe and gentleness, how her touch awakens something within me. When Rìgh Orok of the Oc’Turin makes a play for her hand, I’d do anything to prevent her from living the nightmares of my past. Including fighting against everything that would tear us apart in order to make her mine.
This is a 180,000 word, full-length, slow-burn, high heat, sci-fi alien orc romance with a plus-sized sunshine autistic FMC, grumpy morally grey MMC, intense world-building, epic fantasy, plenty of simping, hurt/comfort, who hurt you?, fated mates, and a guaranteed HEA.
The Content Awareness section is on the author’s website and at the back of the book.
646 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 24, 2023
108 people are currently reading
714 people want to read
About the author
Carlotta Hughes
8 books85 followersCarlotta Hughes is a giant orc-like lady living in Northern California with her four cats and enormous book collection. She wrote a creation story with a polar bear at age five and has been writing ever since. When not reading or writing, she can often be found exploring and generally being a bubbly gerblin hermit. She loves snackies, being warm, weapons, and snuggles.
Carlotta writes thorny, corny, horny stories with sassy one-liners, alt-human love interests, sexually frustrated characters, lots of simping and guaranteed HEA. Her stories tend to explore the spectrum of humanity including: disabilities, gender, sexuality, kinks, and survivorship.
You know, for science.
Carlotta writes thorny, corny, horny stories with sassy one-liners, alt-human love interests, sexually frustrated characters, lots of simping and guaranteed HEA. Her stories tend to explore the spectrum of humanity including: disabilities, gender, sexuality, kinks, and survivorship.
You know, for science.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
February 19, 2024
OMG Rhuger 🔥❤️😭
Rhuger and Amelia were both well developed characters with complex backstories, personalities, strengths, and weaknesses. Both characters had abysmal self-esteem. Amelia was fresh out of an abusive marriage, autistic, curvy, tall, and curious. She had terrible communication skills, but improved as the book went on. Rhuger was grumpy with everyone but Amelia, honor-obsessed, protective, primal, and had a bit of a temper. He also had abysmal communication skills. Rhuger helped Amelia with grounding, self-acceptance, and community integration. Amelia helped Rhuger with his self-acceptance and became a safe place for him to land.
I appreciated that neither character was expected to be everything for each other. Both had friends with give and take relationships who called them out for their poor communication. And the friends were complex as well. They gave bad advice and made selfish decisions as well.
This book also gave us quite the look at Thorn. I have very mixed feelings about him at this point in time, although I agree he has few good options.
The world building is well done; complex and rich.
I’m looking forward to the next book and the HEA for these 2 characters.
Spice: 4/5
Triggers: depression, suicidal ideation (off page), domestic abuse, emotional abuse, narcissistic abuse, discussion gang SA (not MC), SA, attempted SA, violence between MCs (brief), infertility (not MC), violence, gore, bullying, ableism, homophobia, death/grief, PTSD
Rhuger and Amelia were both well developed characters with complex backstories, personalities, strengths, and weaknesses. Both characters had abysmal self-esteem. Amelia was fresh out of an abusive marriage, autistic, curvy, tall, and curious. She had terrible communication skills, but improved as the book went on. Rhuger was grumpy with everyone but Amelia, honor-obsessed, protective, primal, and had a bit of a temper. He also had abysmal communication skills. Rhuger helped Amelia with grounding, self-acceptance, and community integration. Amelia helped Rhuger with his self-acceptance and became a safe place for him to land.
I appreciated that neither character was expected to be everything for each other. Both had friends with give and take relationships who called them out for their poor communication. And the friends were complex as well. They gave bad advice and made selfish decisions as well.
This book also gave us quite the look at Thorn. I have very mixed feelings about him at this point in time, although I agree he has few good options.
The world building is well done; complex and rich.
I’m looking forward to the next book and the HEA for these 2 characters.
Spice: 4/5
Triggers: depression, suicidal ideation (off page), domestic abuse, emotional abuse, narcissistic abuse, discussion gang SA (not MC), SA, attempted SA, violence between MCs (brief), infertility (not MC), violence, gore, bullying, ableism, homophobia, death/grief, PTSD
March 2, 2023
This book was a revelation, pure healing porn, and a wild ride from start to finish. I hate that I'm so terrible at reviews because how do I convey the ways this book ripped me open and put me back together again? How do I explain that it found jagged pieces inside me I didn't even know about and smoothed them? How do I explain that???
I dunno man, it was just. Good. Really fucking good and if you're ND and/or a trauma survivor this one will speak to you. Definitely DEFINITELY peep those TWs but if it's something you can consume comfortably then I definitely recommend it.
I dunno man, it was just. Good. Really fucking good and if you're ND and/or a trauma survivor this one will speak to you. Definitely DEFINITELY peep those TWs but if it's something you can consume comfortably then I definitely recommend it.
March 2, 2023
I absolutely loved this book! The characters were so relatable and lovable. The slow burn romance had an amazing payoff at the end. The diversity of the characters and the world the author has created are amazing. This is the best book I've read in months!
June 8, 2024
I've given myself 24 hrs to think about things.
I'm torn because I was disappointed in the ending. It felt rushed. There was a lot of unfinished business and loose ends. Assuming it will be resolved in the next book but I felt blindsided by that ending.
The book was good in itself. MMC maintained some serious self control. I liked that. I know it's just a story but still very nice to have that for a character.
Author did a great job at showing the depth and breadth of damage that abuse can lead to. How it almost permeates your whole life and all your choice/decisions. FMCs character had some serious character development, albeit with the help of Rhuger. I was a little annoyed that Rhuger was the one helping her...a lot....and not the FMC in herslef trying to do some healing. Again...its fine...its just a book and that's ok. She probably did need some help.
I was also annoyed that the FMCs martial arts/ass kicking made a debut so deep into the book with not a clue in sight for majority of the book...seemed very convenient to the story line...but again...meh I'll live.
The biggest irritation for me is the lack of communication between the two. The whole story would've ended in about half the length if either one has the guts enough to just say "hey I like you, you're my cridhe" or "hey I only have a few days left and I have to choose an orc mate and listen you're the only one I know well enough, you're good looking and have this nice house. Why don't we just fake being mates until this business with the bad orc chief is done?"
Ugh.
Anyway I persevered through the carnage of Hidden feelings and lack of logical thinking abd was slapped in the face by the most abruptly ended book.
Oh oh oh don't get me started on when FMC intentionally chases after Peaches into the woods?!?!? Peaches hates the FMCs guts just leave her. It's like the FMC is a sucker for losers.
Ok ok, I'm very irritated at these things but overall it was a good book.
I hadn't even read the first book in the series before picking this up and the world building was decent enough to not leave you wondering.
So over all I think this book would be a solid 4 if you ignore some irritating parts and the abrupt ending.
I'm torn because I was disappointed in the ending. It felt rushed. There was a lot of unfinished business and loose ends. Assuming it will be resolved in the next book but I felt blindsided by that ending.
The book was good in itself. MMC maintained some serious self control. I liked that. I know it's just a story but still very nice to have that for a character.
Author did a great job at showing the depth and breadth of damage that abuse can lead to. How it almost permeates your whole life and all your choice/decisions. FMCs character had some serious character development, albeit with the help of Rhuger. I was a little annoyed that Rhuger was the one helping her...a lot....and not the FMC in herslef trying to do some healing. Again...its fine...its just a book and that's ok. She probably did need some help.
I was also annoyed that the FMCs martial arts/ass kicking made a debut so deep into the book with not a clue in sight for majority of the book...seemed very convenient to the story line...but again...meh I'll live.
The biggest irritation for me is the lack of communication between the two. The whole story would've ended in about half the length if either one has the guts enough to just say "hey I like you, you're my cridhe" or "hey I only have a few days left and I have to choose an orc mate and listen you're the only one I know well enough, you're good looking and have this nice house. Why don't we just fake being mates until this business with the bad orc chief is done?"
Ugh.
Anyway I persevered through the carnage of Hidden feelings and lack of logical thinking abd was slapped in the face by the most abruptly ended book.
Oh oh oh don't get me started on when FMC intentionally chases after Peaches into the woods?!?!? Peaches hates the FMCs guts just leave her. It's like the FMC is a sucker for losers.
Ok ok, I'm very irritated at these things but overall it was a good book.
I hadn't even read the first book in the series before picking this up and the world building was decent enough to not leave you wondering.
So over all I think this book would be a solid 4 if you ignore some irritating parts and the abrupt ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2023
FMC: Amelia
MMC(s): Rhuger
Tropes: SLOW BURN, Fated mates, SLOW BURN, BBW Rep, I’m not even kidding about this slow burn, fat body rep, anxiety rep, depression rep, healing trauma, ADHD rep, queer rep, ASD rep, alien culture, consent rules
> Reviewer add: Did I mention the slow burn? Possessive MMC
Perspective: First, dual MCs
Plot or character driven: Character
Spicy scenes breakdown:
> Present? Yes.
> Detailed? Yes.
> Multiple, with only one character? No.
> Multiple, with both/multiple characters? Yes.
> Personal favorite? “I am going to lick the soul right out of you.”
> Anything else to note? You’re close to page 500 before the ice on this slow burn breaks. And it’s glorious.
Burn speed: Slooooooooow burn.
Can this be read as a stand-alone: It’s technically first in a series, so I guess.
Re-Readability: Yes, they’re an absolute delight.
Content/Trigger Warnings/Enticements: See the extensive warnings in the back of the book.
“I knew, right then, that the fleeting thought I’d had as I’d raced to Amelia’s side had been true. That, mating marks or no, she was my cridhe. I didn’t care who tried. No one else would ever have a claim on her. She was mine.
All I needed to do now was figure out how to make sure I could secure that future with her.”
Amelia, granddaughter of Ruth from book 0.5 Thorn’s Dove, ends up going through the Geata to Talam, world of the Orcs. There she meets her bodyguard Rhuger. He wants to guard her body. He wants more than to guard her body but she’s the granddaughter of their Righ and he is an outcast and OH THE SWEET ANGST.
I was pre-warned about the slow burn of this novel, so I knew going in that I just needed to settle down and enjoy every second of it. And I did. The slow unwinding of their love, the build up and healing that Amelia had to go through after her ex, it was all MMM DELICIOUS. Amelia got hurt by her ex and then Rhuger comes prowling in with that booty to prove himself in every way possible.
In Carlotta We Trust. She does not let us down.
MMC(s): Rhuger
Tropes: SLOW BURN, Fated mates, SLOW BURN, BBW Rep, I’m not even kidding about this slow burn, fat body rep, anxiety rep, depression rep, healing trauma, ADHD rep, queer rep, ASD rep, alien culture, consent rules
> Reviewer add: Did I mention the slow burn? Possessive MMC
Perspective: First, dual MCs
Plot or character driven: Character
Spicy scenes breakdown:
> Present? Yes.
> Detailed? Yes.
> Multiple, with only one character? No.
> Multiple, with both/multiple characters? Yes.
> Personal favorite? “I am going to lick the soul right out of you.”
> Anything else to note? You’re close to page 500 before the ice on this slow burn breaks. And it’s glorious.
Burn speed: Slooooooooow burn.
Can this be read as a stand-alone: It’s technically first in a series, so I guess.
Re-Readability: Yes, they’re an absolute delight.
Content/Trigger Warnings/Enticements: See the extensive warnings in the back of the book.
“I knew, right then, that the fleeting thought I’d had as I’d raced to Amelia’s side had been true. That, mating marks or no, she was my cridhe. I didn’t care who tried. No one else would ever have a claim on her. She was mine.
All I needed to do now was figure out how to make sure I could secure that future with her.”
Amelia, granddaughter of Ruth from book 0.5 Thorn’s Dove, ends up going through the Geata to Talam, world of the Orcs. There she meets her bodyguard Rhuger. He wants to guard her body. He wants more than to guard her body but she’s the granddaughter of their Righ and he is an outcast and OH THE SWEET ANGST.
I was pre-warned about the slow burn of this novel, so I knew going in that I just needed to settle down and enjoy every second of it. And I did. The slow unwinding of their love, the build up and healing that Amelia had to go through after her ex, it was all MMM DELICIOUS. Amelia got hurt by her ex and then Rhuger comes prowling in with that booty to prove himself in every way possible.
In Carlotta We Trust. She does not let us down.
August 27, 2024
*Actual rating of 1.5*
I feel like this 600+ page book was a complete waste of my time. I really enjoyed the first third of the book, hence the 1.5⭐ and not just 1⭐, and then I just felt bamboozled. There were so many things that bothered me, but what irritated me the most is this was marketed as a slow burn yet high heat but the real spice didn't even hit until over 75% into this behemoth of a book (which was close to page 500). And to make it worse, it was pretty much dub con. Also, the miscommunication between the mc's was rampant and just so so infuriating. And the way this book just ended without answering almost any questions??? WTF was this??
I feel like this 600+ page book was a complete waste of my time. I really enjoyed the first third of the book, hence the 1.5⭐ and not just 1⭐, and then I just felt bamboozled. There were so many things that bothered me, but what irritated me the most is this was marketed as a slow burn yet high heat but the real spice didn't even hit until over 75% into this behemoth of a book (which was close to page 500). And to make it worse, it was pretty much dub con. Also, the miscommunication between the mc's was rampant and just so so infuriating. And the way this book just ended without answering almost any questions??? WTF was this??
July 8, 2024
Why is this so long? And repeats the same thing. And then it just ends. The plot doesn't end, there's not a cliffhanger per se, but everything just stays open.
December 28, 2025
This book took “healing monster romance” to an entirely new level — tender, deeply affirming, and absolutely worth the wait. Just don’t go in expecting insta-lust and nonstop action; Rhuger’s Pearl is here for the long, slow, gorgeously emotional climb.
Amelia, our tall, curvy, autistic FMC, is freshly divorced from an emotionally abusive marriage and trying to rebuild her life at her grandmother’s inn. What she doesn't expect? Accidentally opening a magical gate, falling through to another realm, and being rescued by a hulking orc warrior with more honor than chill.
Rhuger, the grumpy, growly, unexpectedly gentle orc in question, is so painfully self-contained it hurts. He’s a protector to the bone, but under all that snarling bravado is a man just as full of self-doubt and longing as Amelia. The two of them? Built for each other. Broken in places that fit together perfectly. Their connection isn’t flashy — it’s grounding. Intimate. Hard-earned.
The slow-burn is no joke. Like, seriously. We are on chapter forever before anything spicy happens. But honestly? It works. Because when the payoff hits, it’s scorching — full of mutual worship, emotional vulnerability, and enough heat to melt the gate that brought her there in the first place. And yes, there’s a lot of pink metaphors. Like… maybe too much pink. If you're sensitive to repetitive descriptors, be warned.
Tropes :
Portal Fantasy
🗝️ Orc x Human
🗝️ Cinnamon Roll Grump MMC
🗝️ Neurodivergent & Body Positive Rep
🗝️ Found Family
🗝️ Touch-Starved Hero
🗝️ Slow. Burn. Romance
Read Rating: 🔮🔮🔮🔮
Spice Scale: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (eventually...)
Amelia, our tall, curvy, autistic FMC, is freshly divorced from an emotionally abusive marriage and trying to rebuild her life at her grandmother’s inn. What she doesn't expect? Accidentally opening a magical gate, falling through to another realm, and being rescued by a hulking orc warrior with more honor than chill.
Rhuger, the grumpy, growly, unexpectedly gentle orc in question, is so painfully self-contained it hurts. He’s a protector to the bone, but under all that snarling bravado is a man just as full of self-doubt and longing as Amelia. The two of them? Built for each other. Broken in places that fit together perfectly. Their connection isn’t flashy — it’s grounding. Intimate. Hard-earned.
The slow-burn is no joke. Like, seriously. We are on chapter forever before anything spicy happens. But honestly? It works. Because when the payoff hits, it’s scorching — full of mutual worship, emotional vulnerability, and enough heat to melt the gate that brought her there in the first place. And yes, there’s a lot of pink metaphors. Like… maybe too much pink. If you're sensitive to repetitive descriptors, be warned.
Tropes :
Portal Fantasy
🗝️ Orc x Human
🗝️ Cinnamon Roll Grump MMC
🗝️ Neurodivergent & Body Positive Rep
🗝️ Found Family
🗝️ Touch-Starved Hero
🗝️ Slow. Burn. Romance
Read Rating: 🔮🔮🔮🔮
Spice Scale: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (eventually...)
January 31, 2023
The writing itself was fine, but this book does something I really hate: it thinks it's progressive but is the exact opposite.
The hamfisted inclusion of a trans character was awful. The protag cisplaining 'preferred' pronouns (nothing preferred about them) just eughhh it was painfulllll. Given that the author chose to create a hyperbolically bioessentialist world makes it so much worse.
The protag displays autistic and PTSD traits only as convenient.
Lesbianism is unacceptable but male orcs can freely fuck each other because you know males have needs. Gross.
And then taking a woman who finally reclaimed her life and stripping her choices and agency by having a 'male' tell her in no uncertain terms that she must mate and become pregnant? Lovely! After telling me how much more respected 'females' are than in the US. Eye-fucking-roll.
Sure you can make the argument that all of this was necessary because of blah blah blah but the author literally created this world. It was a choice. Several choices actually.
Thanks I hate it.
The hamfisted inclusion of a trans character was awful. The protag cisplaining 'preferred' pronouns (nothing preferred about them) just eughhh it was painfulllll. Given that the author chose to create a hyperbolically bioessentialist world makes it so much worse.
The protag displays autistic and PTSD traits only as convenient.
Lesbianism is unacceptable but male orcs can freely fuck each other because you know males have needs. Gross.
And then taking a woman who finally reclaimed her life and stripping her choices and agency by having a 'male' tell her in no uncertain terms that she must mate and become pregnant? Lovely! After telling me how much more respected 'females' are than in the US. Eye-fucking-roll.
Sure you can make the argument that all of this was necessary because of blah blah blah but the author literally created this world. It was a choice. Several choices actually.
Thanks I hate it.
March 22, 2023
So good!!
So I read the very first book in this series when it was an anthology (I think I remember that right) so I was happily surprised when I realized this book was related!
Only a couple “problems” for me with this book.
1) It took FOREVER to get to the actual steamy parts. I wouldn’t have noticed if it was a shorter book, but this book is so long that it was impossible not to notice. Thankfully those parts were super good (though I hope we can find something to use other then pink this and pink that. Too much pink lol).
2) Some words or terms were overused and became very noticeable and hard to ignore.
I did really enjoy this book overall, and I hope that two individuals from the first book get their HEA because they’ve been waiting for years. I will be reading the next one!
So I read the very first book in this series when it was an anthology (I think I remember that right) so I was happily surprised when I realized this book was related!
Only a couple “problems” for me with this book.
1) It took FOREVER to get to the actual steamy parts. I wouldn’t have noticed if it was a shorter book, but this book is so long that it was impossible not to notice. Thankfully those parts were super good (though I hope we can find something to use other then pink this and pink that. Too much pink lol).
2) Some words or terms were overused and became very noticeable and hard to ignore.
I did really enjoy this book overall, and I hope that two individuals from the first book get their HEA because they’ve been waiting for years. I will be reading the next one!
January 3, 2024
I enjoyed this. Spoilers.
Things I liked: slow burn, super cute organically paced romance
Rhuger: literally touch a hand to her and die. Kilt wearing cutie! Super protective and very watchful over Amelia. Can’t stop fumbling the proverbial ball.
Amelia: healing her inner traumas, getting to know her orc-family and her new friends.
Thorn: was a bit of an overwhelming presence most of the time. Meant the best for Amelia but just kept getting in the way.
Things I didn’t like: I’m gonna give you a big bad villain, make them talk and shift for the first time in recorded history but not go into any detail about it because it’s probably in another book. Book ends very abruptly with no real epilogue. Introduction of numerous character names but not the character, and then you never see them again.
Things I liked: slow burn, super cute organically paced romance
Rhuger: literally touch a hand to her and die. Kilt wearing cutie! Super protective and very watchful over Amelia. Can’t stop fumbling the proverbial ball.
Amelia: healing her inner traumas, getting to know her orc-family and her new friends.
Thorn: was a bit of an overwhelming presence most of the time. Meant the best for Amelia but just kept getting in the way.
Things I didn’t like: I’m gonna give you a big bad villain, make them talk and shift for the first time in recorded history but not go into any detail about it because it’s probably in another book. Book ends very abruptly with no real epilogue. Introduction of numerous character names but not the character, and then you never see them again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 8, 2023
Although this book was fine, there were a couple things that were just a why? For me.
The heroine says “gotdamn”. No I didn’t misspell that. I am aware that there are movies where the comedic relief uses this substitute but if you’re gonna say a word, then SAY that word. Unless you are Buford T Justice, it’s annoying.
The whole side plot with her concern for her grandma flies right out the damn window. The woman has already had one disappeared loved one, now there’s two?
There was some confusion about autonomy but not really and not always.
There is a road trip and big protect and a giving of a house…..
The heroine says “gotdamn”. No I didn’t misspell that. I am aware that there are movies where the comedic relief uses this substitute but if you’re gonna say a word, then SAY that word. Unless you are Buford T Justice, it’s annoying.
The whole side plot with her concern for her grandma flies right out the damn window. The woman has already had one disappeared loved one, now there’s two?
There was some confusion about autonomy but not really and not always.
There is a road trip and big protect and a giving of a house…..
January 3, 2024
I was not expecting the character’s of her first book to show up in this one. But it was a pleasant surprise. From hearing about the author’s own story, it makes it very clear that she put a lot of herself into this book. And it was so pleasant to see because I related to some of the things the main character came to realize. I did cry at the beginning, but there were also a lot of laughs. I’m not usually one to continue a monster romance series, but I intend to continue this one to see how much more this author grows in her craft. She’s definitely going places.
January 4, 2024
3.5 overall - with a 5 star exhibitionist cave scene that I’m still living through over 24 hours later…
The details and descriptions in this book were so vivid I felt like I was watching a movie in my head. Never have I seen a book with such a focus on respectful consent. Also had body positivity and self worth elements.
Slow burn, small angst, repressed feelings (a little too much in the “I’m not worthy” for my general tastes). Breeding kink.
Definitely interested in the other cinnamon roll monsters’ HEAs.
The details and descriptions in this book were so vivid I felt like I was watching a movie in my head. Never have I seen a book with such a focus on respectful consent. Also had body positivity and self worth elements.
Slow burn, small angst, repressed feelings (a little too much in the “I’m not worthy” for my general tastes). Breeding kink.
Definitely interested in the other cinnamon roll monsters’ HEAs.
April 6, 2024
Slow burns…man do they get me angry. And I was. Angry at Amelia and Rhuger for dancing around each other, for the mistakes they kept making over and over, for the massive amount of miscommunication between the two who were so honest and real with each other. I nearly ripped my hair out. But did I love it? Absof-inglutely. And I will be reading the rest of this series because the world building and storytelling were amazing!!
I loved the characters, even through their flaws. Amelia sang to my soul. I get her in every way, which is maybe why she made me so mad at times. I loved her gumption. I saw her fears, and I couldn’t wait for her to finally break down all her walls.
I cannot wait to dive deeper into this world. I loved the Scottish inspiration worlds away in an Orc culture. LOVED IT!
But the slow burn…excruciating! Totally worth it though.
I loved the characters, even through their flaws. Amelia sang to my soul. I get her in every way, which is maybe why she made me so mad at times. I loved her gumption. I saw her fears, and I couldn’t wait for her to finally break down all her walls.
I cannot wait to dive deeper into this world. I loved the Scottish inspiration worlds away in an Orc culture. LOVED IT!
But the slow burn…excruciating! Totally worth it though.
June 7, 2024
This 👏 BOOK 👏. Never in my 22 years of life have I EVERRRRRRRR felt so seen and beautiful like I have because of how the plus size mc was written in this book. I often struggle so much with plus size mc’s in books, their chubbiness/chubbiness issues/sexy time chub feels forced and just so unsatisfyingly written, NOT THIS ONE! The way she was described but also loved was so unmistakably gorgeous and I will forever be grateful Carlotta for making me feel beautiful while reading about a fictional chub mc getting loved on by an orc 😍🥰🫶
August 30, 2023
Do not read
How are you going to have an amazing book, and then just end? I truly thought something was wrong when I tried to turn the page and got the review thing popping up. That wasn't a cliffhanger. That was just taking a book, writing it, choosing a page at random, and deciding it should stop there. Apparently there is another book after this. I guess it addresses this book's plot lines? But essentially this one is half a book, and you are not warned.
How are you going to have an amazing book, and then just end? I truly thought something was wrong when I tried to turn the page and got the review thing popping up. That wasn't a cliffhanger. That was just taking a book, writing it, choosing a page at random, and deciding it should stop there. Apparently there is another book after this. I guess it addresses this book's plot lines? But essentially this one is half a book, and you are not warned.
dnf-or-skimmed
October 22, 2024I love the cover and when I saw how long it was, I was pretty hype, but immediately was turned off within the first couple pages. I'm not a fan of divorcee main characters and I found that the way Rhuger and Amelia meet after she pops through a portal to be too easygoing for a "human thrown into a strange world with strange new peoples and customs" kind of story.
Maybe it gets better, but, too many of the starting details just aren't to my taste.
Maybe it gets better, but, too many of the starting details just aren't to my taste.
August 30, 2023
This was good! I really enjoyed it. I rarely get to read about a curvy, neurodivergent FMC coping with the impact of narcissistic abuse, and I was here for it. My only qualm is that this book was about 250-300 pgs too long. There was no reason for this to be over 600 pgs. I ended up skimming the last ten pages, I was over it. Other than that, really enjoyed this one.
4 stars.
4 stars.
October 8, 2023
This gave me all the feels
Man, this was a SLOW burn. But, once you hit the spicy stuff, ❤️🔥🥵😵☠️
Rhuger is Daddy. Hot and bossy and hot and sensitive and sweet and HOT
I want an orc boyfriend
I see so many similarities between myself and Amelia that all I wanted to do is hug her. I love her spice, her snark, and her heart.
*Immediately moved onto next book*
Man, this was a SLOW burn. But, once you hit the spicy stuff, ❤️🔥🥵😵☠️
Rhuger is Daddy. Hot and bossy and hot and sensitive and sweet and HOT
I want an orc boyfriend
I see so many similarities between myself and Amelia that all I wanted to do is hug her. I love her spice, her snark, and her heart.
*Immediately moved onto next book*
April 16, 2024
I couldn’t help but fall for the middle-earth style scenery and enjoying the FMC’s wonderment with this isekai-style story. With the help of that little red string of fate, the FMC semi-accidentally falls into another world, transforming into a part-orc, and finds her long-lost orc family and her fated mate. Not everything is nice and rosy, but the MMC is head over heels for her, and I’m pretty sure that Elder Ruksala knows more than she’s letting on!
March 6, 2023
Moar please!
I absolutely loved Thorn’s Dove. Rhuger’s Pearl damn near broke me. Freaking cliff hanger! NEED MOAR!!! I can’t wait to dive into Rhuger’s Cridhe. Ms. Hughes, you knocked it out of the park with a war club. <3
I absolutely loved Thorn’s Dove. Rhuger’s Pearl damn near broke me. Freaking cliff hanger! NEED MOAR!!! I can’t wait to dive into Rhuger’s Cridhe. Ms. Hughes, you knocked it out of the park with a war club. <3
April 16, 2023
Omg this book is so perfect!
It’s so sweet and wholesome and I love the main characters neurodivergence I rarely see that and it burns slow and I love it! Amazing world building and just *chefs kiss*
It’s so sweet and wholesome and I love the main characters neurodivergence I rarely see that and it burns slow and I love it! Amazing world building and just *chefs kiss*
April 16, 2023
Totally AWESOME 😁
Although it's takes forever for both parties to finally come together, it's a sweet story 😍. There's lots more going on and I can see lots of other stories off this one 😉. Thanks Carlotta, I truly Loved this story and long to read more 🤓.
Although it's takes forever for both parties to finally come together, it's a sweet story 😍. There's lots more going on and I can see lots of other stories off this one 😉. Thanks Carlotta, I truly Loved this story and long to read more 🤓.
May 7, 2025
3.5 love a grumpy sunshine
Wish we didn’t repeat the same scenes, even from different POV, gets a bit repetitive. Also this is truly a SLOW burn. But sweet story! Wished we’d seen the resolution in certain events more, but maybe that’s the next book?
Wish we didn’t repeat the same scenes, even from different POV, gets a bit repetitive. Also this is truly a SLOW burn. But sweet story! Wished we’d seen the resolution in certain events more, but maybe that’s the next book?
February 8, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed reading an FMC on the spectrum and love a Good Girl trope. 🤌🏻
February 10, 2023
love this series
I just love the books in this series I really want to see Ruth and thorn reunited aaah and rhuger and his sweet pearl mwah perfection
I just love the books in this series I really want to see Ruth and thorn reunited aaah and rhuger and his sweet pearl mwah perfection
March 10, 2023
3.5 stars
July 7, 2023
Devoured! Characters, chef's kiss.
The candle burned slow but damn was the heat worth it. Chemistry between the two protagonists had me swooning.
And the world building, five stars.
The candle burned slow but damn was the heat worth it. Chemistry between the two protagonists had me swooning.
And the world building, five stars.
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