Guinevere, a merchant's daughter on her way to meet her betrothed, finds herself set upon by thieves and rescued by a half orc, a man who is the grumpy to her sunshine but still manages to brighten up her life. As the two of them embark on a journey together, sparks fly and tensions build ...

This is a sweet and sexy fantasy romance with lovable characters and a fun plot. It was a fast read because I couldn't put it down, and I wish there was more!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Sooo cute! I really enjoyed this one, very cosy and sweet.
Oskar and Guievenere were typical slow burn, grumpy sunshine, I loved how Guinevere was so naive and Oskar couldn’t help but protect her. Both characters very likeable and the story flowed really well. I’d have loved to have seen more from her fire spirit as she seemed cute and feisty!

Defo recommend!

4.5 Stars rounded up

This is such a cute, easy to read cosy feeling romantasy, perfect for fans of Dungeons and Dragons, and for those who just want a fun read!

As someone who hasn’t listened to an episode of Critical Role, I slipped into the world very easily, and I quickly became immersed into the story.

The main characters were both very lovable, each with their troubles, but nothing all too complex either. The stakes were mid to low and the world building, exceptional. I really liked how the romance blossomed, and the grumpy x sunshine personalities perfectly complemented each other. The spice came at the perfect time in the book too. Oskar had the dirtiest mouth and it wasn’t only Guinevere who was left blushing 🤭

Definitely recommend if you’re looking for a book with:
•Forbidden Love
•Grumpy x Sunshine
•Only one Bed & Horse
•Yearning
•Human x half-Orc Romance
•Cosy Romantasy
•Duel POV

Thank you so much to Del Rey and Netfalley for the E-Arc in exchange for an honest review.

Oh, I just adored this! I wanted a nice little palette cleanser after some heavy fantasy books and this was more than perfect. A cute cosy romantasy filled with fun. This is a short book, under 300 pages but I enjoyed it so much. The characters are endearing and I loved the humour in this one. I've genuinely no idea what critical role is but it didn't matter, this is a stellar 5 star book for me.
Thank you so much to the publishers and Netgalley for providing an arc in return for an honest review.

This is how you do romantasy❤️‍🔥👏🏻

I read this in near enough one sitting because from the start it was that good!
Critical role holds a special place in my soul so i already had high expectations going in to this & it delivered. From the world setting, which you dont need to have any critical tole knowledge for, to both the main characters it ate.

The romance between Oskar & Guinevere was top tier from the beginning. They started as unlikely companions but the connection between them grew so quickly but so organically that it was just a joy to read. The one bed trope was 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻
The main romance story was boosted by the fantasy elements but it didnt detract from the basis that at it’s core this book is a romance, it just happened to be between an half-orc & a fire wielding woman.
I have hardly any notes for this except that i need more of their next adventures & where they go from here🥹

Thanks to the publisher for allowing me access to this book.

I'm a huge fan of Critical Role, a 'caught-up-viewing-all-three-campaigns-in-just-over-one-year' level fan, and whilst I am not a romantasy fan, I wanted to dip into Tusk Love regardless.

This was a very sweet story, and it makes complete sense why Jester would be bowled over by it. A fun addition to the Critical Role world.

As someone who met and fell in love with her husband while a part of Critical Role fandom, this book? Perfect. It’s an absolute delight full of fun for both longtime fans of Critical Role and newcomers to the universe. Romantic and sexy, bursting with adventure and wholesome moments, I genuinely adored this book!

Tusk Love by Thea Guanzon is a fun and imaginative story with a quirky, original premise that definitely stands out. Guanzon’s world-building is creative and engaging, filled with colorful characters and plenty of playful moments that fantasy romance fans will appreciate.

However, while the charm of the world and the humor shine through, the pacing felt uneven at times, and certain character arcs could have been more fully developed. There were moments where the emotional depth didn’t quite land, and the relationship dynamics sometimes felt a little rushed.

That said, Tusk Love is still an enjoyable, lighthearted read with lots of heart. Readers looking for a whimsical, unconventional fantasy romance will likely find it a refreshing change of pace, even if it doesn’t quite hit every emotional note.

Loveeeeedddddd this book! i have read all or Thea's books and thoroughly enjoy reading them all.
4/5 starts for this one, i will be keeping an eye out for all future releases!

A very charming little book, it almost felt like a fairytale I would read as a kid (only with quite a bit of adult material)

I cannot simply get enough of this book, it was cosy, it was romantic, it was YEARNING LIKE I NEVER FELT!!
I would quite like every fantasy to hook me the way this did. Oskar and Guinevere’s story is adorable, I love seeing a vulnerable MMC being comforted by the buttercup FMC. The pure yearning for these two to get together was so strong and that twist at the end had me begging these kids could work it out and get their HEA. Perfect cosy fantasy!

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin for my copy 🩷

This was such a sweet and fun story! I loved the premise and the characters - especially the FMC Guinevere. She is so self-aware and I loved watching her develop as the book went on.
The story itself flowed quickly, which made it easy to absorb this book in one sitting.


Thank you so much to Random House UK for the ARC via NetGalley and for giving me the opportunity to share my honest thoughts on the book.

One moment, I need to stop screaming in excitement before I can form thoughts to properly review this literary masterpiece.

I love D&D and I love Critical Role, so when I saw this book was coming out and that Thea Guanzon was writing it, I already knew that it would be a 10/10 for me. I've learned to trust my instinct on that regard. Tusk Love was as if Tangled met Tress of the Emerald Sea, but make it spicy and that is the best elevator pitch I can give you on this novel, because those are two of my favourite things. Guinevere and Oskar were the epitome of the grumpy sunshine trope, Oskar the curmudgeonly adventurer and Guinevere the sheltered and optimistic merchant's daughter. Not only did I fall in love with the main characters, but Thea Guanzon made sure I fell for the side characters too, I was so invested and rooting for everyone (except the mercenaries of course). If you love adventure and sweeping romance, I would highly recommend this book, even if you aren't familiar with Dungeons and Dragons or Critical Role, this book is something that can be enjoyed by anyone!

👻 standalone romantasy
🍑 open door spice
👻 dual POVs
🍑 naive sunshine FMC x grumpy MMC
👻 themes of classism
🍑 perfect blend of cosy and action
👻 story within the Critical Role / DnD world
🍑 only one horse & bed

Wow. I fell in absolute adoring love with this book. As I'm writing this review I'm still all smiley and giggling and kicking my feet.

I'm not a DnD player / Critical Role understander I feel like you don't have to be part of this world to enjoy this one.

It's very akin to the original fantasy recipe - main characters are on an adventure in an immersive world (i lost time reading this as I got so into it), great and unique MCs who you learn more about as you go, some incredible (and hilarious) characters you meet along the way, and a romance to quite literally die for.

Bless Guinevere - she is a naive and wholesome FMC.
She goes on such a journey, from being sheltered and unloved to this wild and free individual. And Oskar? H deserves the biggest hug. He's also so swoon worthy like the grumpy but slowly gets soft for her hits SO HARD.

And I'm sorry but the communication in this? Incredible. No miscommunication here, readers. They.
Communicate. Yes, I'm pointing it out because Thea has done this so well and it's so perfect and so necessary for these two. You'll see what I mean.

Overall, I fell in love with every aspect, from the writing to the characters. This was truly a wonderful read and with a perfect blend of action and cosy vibes, this is an incredible addition to the genre. Centre of the shelf for you, Tusk Love!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was AMAZING! It was such a heartwarming warming journey with the most incredible character growth. The world building and side characters were so well done and our MCs were just perfection!

I just love Guinevere and Oskar 🥰 Their relationship was so wholesome, I was giggling and kicking my feet the whole time. We praise the healthy communication trope 🙌🏼 I love how vulnerable these characters were with each other, showing that it’s okay for even big ass orcs to cry! And the way these characters changed and grew together was just *chefs kiss*. Guinevere learned to embrace and love who she truly was, becoming a strong independent woman! And Oskar learned that it’s okay to smile every now and then 😂

I simply loved everything about this book. It deserves all the star. Thea Guanzon can do no wrong 🙌🏼

But I need to know what happens next! I need more of Gwen and Oskars story as they travel to onward!

A very sweet romance with a great setting and some good characters.

Id definitely recommend this to romantasy readers. It's not my favorite genre but I can still appreciate a good book.

4.75

this was just so much fun. when i say i want cosy fantasy romance THIS is what i mean! i am seated for every single thing thea guanzon writes from this moment on; i loved her humour and style in this and hope it translates into her other work too!

the characters were so loveable, the romance was believable and their chemistry was palpable from the start.

i’ll be the first to admit i love a tropey plot and this was IT! only one bed trope TWICE in ONE BOOK? im living my best life.

quarter star lost only because the ending felt a little rushed.

Tusk Love could not have come at a better time because I have been slumping and slumping hard, I do not pmuls. And this book brought me back.

Guanzon writes the perfect blend of romance and fantasy in Tusk Love.

Oskar is man that is just happy to be in Guinevere's presence and isn't that what we all want. He worships the ground upon which she walks, as he should. At one point her praised her walking and I kicked my legs in glee because that is what I want to be praised for walking or sitting or breathing, I'm flexible.

In Tusk Love, Guanzon delivers a cozy romantic fantasy that makes you feel content. I enjoyed Guinevere's and Oskar's character development but Guinevere's in particular as she free's herself from the prison that is her parents. There is a bit of insta love but I think it's great in this, like yes get me to the romance faster, but also it didn't detract from the development. The developing was still happening and I think the early intimacy was needed in order for both of them to grow emotionally and not be selfish.

I loved Tusk Love - a perfectly executed low (but also high) stakes cozy romance with loveable idiots.

Thank you to Del Rey , Thea Guanzon and Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest reivew.

Tusk Love releases in the UK on the 1st of July!

Tusk Love is a delightful cozy fantasy romance. The setting is super vivid and the side characters were so much fun. The romance is a fast, sweet whirlwind. They’re all heart-eyes for each other right away, which isn’t usually my thing, which is why I didn't give it five stars. But honestly, I had a good time with this one. If you love rich, atmospheric worldbuilding and sweet, fantasy romance (with a bit of spice), give it a shot.

This was SO GOOD! I devoured this and loved every minute. It's so romantic and has such a cozy adventure! Plus the breaking down of ones own prejudices was such a powerful and lovely message. I think Thea Guanzon did an amazing job and i'm so grateful to have been able to read an ARC of this!

Thank you so much Del Rey for my ARC, I am so appreciative!

5/5